Pronounced “new-ee dawn-fair,” the name Nuits d'Enfer suggests a night of passion and no-rules possibilities. The 2015 NdE earns its reputation and black-label Reserve status by the addition of a touch of untamed Charbono and brooding Cabernet Sauvignon to the pedigreed Merlot. A Blend of, Merlot 82%, Charbono 10%, Cabernet Sauvignon 8%
On the palate, plum, cherry, and spice flavors dominate with a bit of wild blackberry from the Charbono and some beefy backbone notes from the Cabernet Sauvignon. The mouthfeel and tannins are elegant despite being still young and fresh; the finish is long-lived and lively. A great match for pork – perhaps braised pork belly with rhubarb glaze. Or just about anything adventurous off the grill.
The destemmed whole berries went directly into the fermentor. They were cold soaked at 55 degrees until the onset of a robust native fermentation, then inoculated and fermented to a peak of 85 degrees F. The cap was hand punched down thrice daily. After malolactic, aging took place for eighteen months in French oak cooperage from the Vosges and Allier forests.
We worked closely with our friends at three neighboring vineyards to access the very best fruit possible. The Merlot from the Fitzgerald Vineyard was hand-picked on October 7 of 2015; the Charbono from Fratelli Vineyard on October 12 and the Cabernet from Napoli Vineyard on October 23.
Harvest Date: October 2015
Alcohol: 14.2
Cooperage: French oak, 27% new, 18 months
Production: 117
