This site on Spring Mountain sits far above the valley floor but still falls within the cooling band of the fog line, eliciting from the vines an often introverted, brooding character. In 2022, however, Pluribus seems to reveal more than it withholds. Harvest began on September 3rd, and the last of the fruit reached the winery on the 9th.

The mysterious moods of this vineyard are shaped by patterns of contrast and contradiction that— like the chiaroscuro of shadow and light in certain Old Master paintings—lend to the wine its shifting elements of shade, mass, and depth. Historically, in youth, many of the wine’s intricate details have remained long shrouded, emerging only with age. In 2022, however, the mists seem to part, and the usually pensive mountain landscape opens to view, with its precise contours and vivid colors cast in a subdued yet translucent glow.

This site is found at a higher elevation than the other crus, yet still falls within the forested fog line—characteristics that have made this a typically later-ripening vineyard. In 2021, the first pass at harvest occurred on September 9, the last on the 15th.

In each vintage, this vineyard’s sylvan setting invariably expresses itself aromatically—here exuding the heady scents of resin and undergrowth mingled with those of dark, wild fruits. Entwined textural contrasts provide a dynamic framework for the palate, which conveys boldness and density tempered by an austerity whose edges, nevertheless, are beveled and brightly polished.

The elevation and remote locale of Pluribus often make this site, from year to year, the outlier among its siblings. This vintage proved no exception, as the vines presented an alluring reversal of the sensory progression we have come to associate with wines from the property.

The nose at first captures attributes of the vineyard itself, hinting at damp evergreens and earth. Yet the moodiness of the wine quickly asserts itself, submerging the senses in shifting mélange of scents that pulls the imagination downward into the glass. Rich fruit pierces the palate, and the gravity of the tannins persists throughout. Remarkably, the finish delivers a resounding echo of the aromatics—a profound refrain that lingers hauntingly.  

Located on the east-facing, mid-slopes of Spring Mountain, this site began its growing season on April 19th. Although bloom occurred at the beginning of June, it yielded a healthy fruit set. Morning sunshine nurtured the crop through summer, and a final warming event in the last week of September brought the fruit to ripeness. Harvest began on October 2nd and, after 17 distinct passes, concluded ten days later.

Dense and dark, yet dappled with exuberant points of light, the wine combines forest notes with piercing radiance. The pronounced backbone of tannin buoys an abundance of detail, and while—like the shadowy turn in a wooded path that leads to a clearing—these elements seem to taper briefly, they open once again onto an effulgent, lifted finish.

An unusually temperate growing season allowed the vines to retain their vivid aromatics. Bloom was prolific, giving birth to a larger-than-average yield. While tasting grapes in early October to determine the moment of harvest, we felt that the moment was already upon us. We responded, harvesting the entire vineyard over three days.

The hallmark aromas cover the full spectrum of resin, torrefaction, and dark berries, which transport one to the edge of the forest. The palate is quite exotic for such a young Pluribus, as the usual youthful energy has been complemented by layers of soft, supple tannins. It is as if time has simultaneously sped up and slowed down, allowing us to appreciate, in the same moment, the youth of the wine and the maturity of the vines.

When walking the vineyard in 2017 it was easy to appreciate the opportunity that Nature had provided this unique site. The fruit was pristine and its flavor was other-worldly. We could have easily harvested on Sunday October 8th—before the fires began—but as temperatures were mild, the decision was made to wait until Monday. By then it was too late, and so this single decision led to our inability to offer Pluribus. The fate of a vintage can come down to a single day, a single decision. Such was the case in 2017.

Budbreak began in late March. Bloom followed in sync, yet veraison came much later than normal. This delay helped the site to weather the heat spells in August, and as cool fog approached, the grapes were in pristine condition for harvest in the last third of September.

The Pluribus location on the mid slopes of Spring Mountain provides a unique lens through which to view the vintage. The nose of the 2016 is dark, with hints of spice and earth. An immediate energy electrifies the palate, as the wine’s many layers surface in staccato. This sensation ultimately expands and then softens, extending for a seamless and persistent finish.

The late ripening nature of this site welcomes warmer years with open arms. The summer heat spells in 2015 simply provided a gentle nudge along its path to harvest. Yields were down, but fortunately harvest occurred in the cool part of fall, allowing for great precision in picking as well as optimal preservation of freshness.

The aromas dance around a dark fruit profile, but are more defined by the supporting facets of resin, spice, and earth. Upon entry the wine is immediately racy and mineral. While the tannins build to what seems like an ultimatum, the hallmark whiplash brings a second movement to the wine, uncovering an extremely long and detailed finish.

The mid-slopes of Spring Mountain provided a beautiful, long season to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon. It was the last site to be harvested in 2014. The first pick occurred in late September and concluded in the second week of October. That late season picking was ideal with more than a dozen harvest passes being made over three weeks.

The aromas seem so closely tied with the youth of this wine, primary in evolution, but not detail. On the palate there is a burst of energy while the mid-palate has depth and a multi-layered finish. Though Pluribus is often racy and more primal, this year it seems almost civilized. Its normal edge has been softened, yet still hides layer upon layer than will undoubtedly appear in due time.

Sitting at higher elevation, this site ripened at a glacial but inexorable pace. More importantly, in spite of a second year of drought, we were able to dry-farm the vineyard. Harvest began later compared to the other crus, and the result was one of the most visceral and expressive wines from this site to date.

The nose is extremely nuanced, with typical aromas of roasting coffee beans, ripe black currant, and hints of allspice. Upon entry, the acidity is lively and resonant while the mid-palate is rich. As is typical in the best vintages of Pluribus there is a whiplash effect on the palate. The tannins build to what feels like a firm stop, then return and melt slowly over the sides of the tongue.