Nose

This muscular powerhouse opens with a nose of black
plum, pencil lead and dried herbs that only hint at the intensity and expansiveness of the
palate to follow.

Palate

Abundant flavors of freshly picked blackberries, currants and espresso
unfold in velvety succession over a mouth‐coating palate.  Ripe, sweet tannins surround the
dense core of black fruits, complemented by hints of cedar and vanillin on a lasting finish.

Growing Conditions

The 2007 growing season was preceded by a mild, dry winter.  Bud break
came early, setting a crop of highly concentrated berries in small clusters.  Summer brought
ideal weather with warm, even temperatures through veraison.    Late summer brought
several heat spikes followed by moderate temperatures that prevailed through harvest.  
Fruit had ample time for phenolics as well as sugars to reach optimum levels.  The result was
a slow, steady harvest of exceptional quality, with wines showing great intensity and
structure.

Harvest

Hand‐harvested grapes.

Bottling

Unfined and unfiltered; bottled June 2009.

Winemaking

ƒ Fermented in small, closed‐top stainless steel fermentors with indigenous yeasts
ƒ 4‐day cold soak, 35 days total maceration  
ƒ Spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels

Aging

Aged 20 months in French oak barrels; 92% new.

Appearance

Displays a deep, black garnet hue.