Seven Apart Basalt is the stronger counterpoint to the softer, more nuanced Shale bottling from the estate. Both wines capture the spirit of the terroir in different ways. This new vintage of Seven Apart Basalt showcases the deep, powerful, structured side of the vineyard. The winemaking is decidedly light-handed, the goal being to allow the vineyard come forward. Grapes were hand-harvested, sorted, and allowed to soak cold on the skins for five to seven days before fermentation. A long, slow maceration helped to build mid-palate and weight, while maintaining the fresh aromas and flavors of the fruit. Drained directly into French oak barrels, the wine was aged for twenty-four months and then bottled without fining or filtration.

Visually, this wine is a deep crimson color with vibrant aromas of ripe blueberries, prune, dried herbs and a pleasingly pronounced minerality. A well-balanced wine that greets you with generous soft tannins building to a full-bodied mid palate culminating in a lengthy, silky finish rife with flavors of cocoa and dried black cherries. The young wine has a lot to offer, and will continue to gain polish and complexity over the years with more bottle age.