2011 SMITH WOOTON Vintner’s Select PETIT VERDOT is the product of an appellation perfect for Petit Verdot grapes. The grapes come from the Tanner Vineyard in Calaveras County, near Murphys. The vineyard lies on a rocky, south facing slope with great drainage and long sun exposure at an elevation of 2,000 ft. These conditions yield even ripening and flavorful, fully mature fruit. Growers, Dick and Ron Tanner and their families tend their vineyard and know each microclimate intimately. Winemaker, Daniel Benton, handcrafted this limited production wine. The grapes were crushed and bin fermented in small lots at cool temperatures. This method created a long fermentation which accentuated the fruit flavors and added complexity. To avoid extraction of harsh tannins, no pumps were used until after the wine was pressed off the skins. This concentrated attention by Winemaker and grower created a wine with layers of complexity. The 2011 Vintner’s Select PETIT VERDOT is the result of their labors.