Spanning one entire,
undivided mountainside property stretching across 300 acres, a mere 22 acres
are planted to vine at Checkerboard Vineyards, and the wines they are making
here are simply magical. Sustainably farmed by Jim Barbour in a way that
intentionally nourishes the soils, maintaining water purity and preventing soil
erosion, these four vineyards are planted amongst the trees and at varying
elevations ranging from 400 - 2,000 feet. The result is a wine with beautiful
aromatics and silky textures without missing out on the power and intensity we
all love and expect from the Checkerboard portfolio.
Legendary winemaker,
Martha McClellan (Harlan, Sloan, Vineyard 7 & 8), is at the helm of this crown
jewel on Diamond Mountain. Their Impetuous bottling is handmade at Checkerboard
Vineyards from the same vineyard blocks that Martha and her team work with when
producing the acclaimed Checkerboard portfolio, King's Row and Aurora Vineyard.
This wine is inspired by the unique terroir found within their four pristine
estate vineyards on Diamond Mountain, blended carefully to be enjoyed in its
youth without a need to decant or age.
Upon release, the 2017
Impetuous is beyond friendly and generous. Martha blended 60% Cabernet
Sauvignon with 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, aged for an
astounding 28 months in new French oak.
This is a delicious blend of candied cherries, black currants, caramel,
vanilla, spicy red & black pepper, and fresh savory herbs. The texture is
silky and sublime with a full mid-palate and lengthy finish, all hallmarks of a
classic Checkerboard Vineyards wine. 300
cases were produced.
