Women Rule in Blending Whitecliff Winery's 2012 Sky Island

The blending began with a little 2009 Whitecliff Sparkling to cleanse our palate. Great sparkling at that!  

The subjects at hand were 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot. 

The mission, to come up with Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery's 2012 Sky Island blend. 

Tasting panel included 3 of Whitecliff's winemakers, 3 women and 2 male guests for a total of 8.

Six blends later a decision was made.  First was the chart that was filled in as each blend was mixed

                            Blend 1              Blend 2           Blend 3            Blend 4        Blend 5             Blend 6

Cabernet Sauvignon	62.5%	47.5%	50%	30%	75%	62.5%
Cabernet Franc	10%	25%	25%	30%	10%	15%
Petit Verdot	2.5%	2.5%	4%	4%	2.5%	2.5%
Malbec	6%	6%	6%	4%	2.5%	5%
Merlot	19%	19%	15%	32%	10%	15%

Blend 1 lots of black cherry and blackberry

Blend 2 black fruit, nice soft pepper spice on finish that fell off as time went on, better aromatics

Blend 3 more red berry, nothing stands out, PV overpowers all the fruit of the other varietals

Blend 4 black fruit, little green pepper notes

Blend 5 nice fruit hint of black pepper on finish, but some green notes throughout. 

Blend 6 big nose, nice, taste the CF at first that then mellows out

After tasting blend 5 we tasted the Cabernet Sauvignon alone and it was one of the best NY Cabernet Sauvignons I've tasted.  We all agreed that this should be bottled as a stand alone, however we were vetoed by the head winemaker due to supply constraints.

Voting time came and it was between Blend 1 and Blend 6.......It was a tie, however all 3 women voted for Blend 6.  Woo Hoo...we dominated and backed it up with good reason for our choice.  All 3 winemakers voted for Blend 1.  Women rule and women dominate most of wine purchases...so Blend 6 it will be.  You will have to wait until the Fall at the earliest to even give this a try.