2018 Ultima Thule

47% Nebbiolo
47% Schioppettino
6% Cabernet Sauvignon

Philosophy
On ancient maps, Ultima Thule referred to places ‘beyond the northern borders of the known world’. It has come to mean ‘a supreme goal.’ Our Ultima Thule vineyard and wine embody both. Hidden away at the northernmost tip of Old Mission Peninsula, we grow Nebbiolo, Schioppettino, and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties that can only be ripened to perfection by our proprietary Nella Serra technique. Bold, complex, and marvelously unique, Ultima Thule exemplifies our supreme goal of making spectacular, and unexpected, red wines in Michigan.

Flavor Notes
The star of the blend is Nebbiolo, a pale yet intensely tannic red grape grown primarily in northern Italy’s Piedmont region. True to its nature, our Nebbiolo fills the palate with grippy and complex tannins that carry through to the finish. This is the second vintage to feature Schioppettino, another Italian red grape with pretty aromas and softer tannins, complementing the Nebbiolo and rounding the wine out. Distinctive notes of cassis and anise from the Italian grapes mingle with a bright raspberry fruitiness provided by Cabernet Sauvignon. Softer vanilla and clove from time spent aging in oak add body and weight, filling out this complex blend.

Pairings
Due to the presence of both Nebbiolo and Schioppettino, we recommend enjoying this wine with Italian food. The intense tannic quality of the blend allows it to pair well with fattier foods; cheese like parmigiano-reggiano, buttery garlic mushroom risotto, or any marbled red meat like prime rib or sausage.

Vinification
The Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested from Irish Vineyard on October 22nd, 2018 and the destemmed berries were fermented in a stainless pump-over tank. The Nebbiolo and Schioppettino were then harvested from Irish on October 27th. Both varieties were destemmed and fermented in open-top bins with daily punch downs by hand. They were then pressed on November 15th into neutral French oak barriques. The Cabernet was pressed the next day into a one year old demi muid. The wine aged for three and a half years before blending and bottling occurred on June 1st 2022.

Cellaring
Enjoy watching this wine evolve now through 2032.