Michael Shaps Puissance 2019

We produce just two barrels of this Cabernet Sauvignon made in a partial apassimento style and then aged for three years in 50% new French oak.  The grapes were harvested at traditional maturity levels of 22-23 brix and then dried in our tobacco barn to raise the sugar concentration to 28 brix.  The fermentation resulted in producing a wine with high alcohol of 15.8% and with a residual sugar of 1%.   The added concentration of fruit, alcohol and sugar made for a very dense extracted wine, which was enhanced and deepened by the extended aging in the barrel.  Even though there is a slight amount of residual sugar, the acid and tannins create a balance that suggests that this is a dry wine on the palate.  As the name suggests, this is a powerful wine that will age for 15-20 years and will pair nicely with heavy and spicy meats as well as strong cheese.