Ceritas Peter Martin Ray Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Cruz Mountains, USA 2018

VINTAGE : 2018

COUNTRY : USA

REGION/APPELLATION : California, Santa Cruz

VARIETALS : Cabernet Sauvignon 

Peter Martin Ray lies 1,800 feet above the town of Saratoga in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This is the highest elevated vineyard which Ceritas works with. The vineyard is steeped in history dating back to 1943, when stockbroker-turned-winemaker Martin Ray planted the original Chardonnay vines. It was a brave venture to plant in such meager Franciscan shale soils without any measurable topsoil. When Martin Ray’s son, Peter Martin Ray, took over the farming of this site, he replanted to the Mt. Eden clone of Chardonnay in the early 1980s. What makes this fruit so remarkable is a direct result of the vines’ constant struggle: raw farmed with minimal manmade input; the vines are constantly seeking water, nutrients and sustenance from deep in the hillside. Characterized by small berries on tiny clusters, this fruit yields wine that is distinctive for its salty, mineral palate, persistent flavors and lingering finish.

Aged for 30 months in Bordeaux barrels with minimal sulfur just before bottling. Unfined, unfiltered. Extremely limited.