Source:           From 45 year old vines planted just south of Calistoga. 

               Alcohol:          14.1%

     Fermentation:          Fermented in stainless a steel tank.  Full malolactic fermentation was completed

                                      in 59 gallon French oak barrels.
                                     
                 Aging:         Aged for 30 months in older "neutral" French oak barrels.                            

      Residual Sugar:       Dry

   Cases Produced:        150

   Suggested Retail:        $22.50

Winemakers Notes:      

Charbono has very dark color and medium-firm tannins and good acidity for aging.  Long thought to be an Italian grape variety, DNA testing done by Carole Meredith at UC Davis in 1999 traced this back to an obscure grape from the Savoie region of France (near the border with Piedmont, Italy) generally called Corbeau but also known as Douce Noire and Charbonneau.   This is one of the rarest grape varieties in the world with approximately 100 acres planted in California and less than that in France.

 Very dark red-black color, this wine has a lovely nose of black currants and plums.  Rich in the mouth, this has rustic texture, moderate tannins and bright acidity.  A good comparison might be “Petite Sirah without the pepper”.  Try this with any Italian red sauce dishes, stews or similar richly flavored dishes.  Elk or other venison work great with this wine.