Nose
This violet hued, cool‐climate Carneros cabernet sauvignon boasts intense aromas of
blackberry, Chambord and lavender.
Palate
The palate’s silky texture is seamlessly interwoven with
concentrated flavors of black cherry, licorice and pencil shavings. The long, luxurious finish is
supported by fine‐grained tannins and accentuated with black fruits and dried tobacco
leaves.
Growing Conditions
2008 began with an exceptionally dry spring and early budbreak. Frosts in
April significantly lowered cluster counts. Weather stabilized and warmed through summer,
with warmer temperatures continuing through harvest. A smaller crop of high quality fruit
was able to ripen fully and evenly, developing an excellent balance of sugars and acid.
Overall, the 2008 wines are bright and expressive with well‐articulated flavors.
Harvest
Hand‐harvested grapes.
Bottling
Unfined and unfiltered; bottled June 2010.
Winemaking
Fermented in a single 5‐ton closed‐top stainless steel fermentor with indigenous yeasts
6‐day cold soak, 30 days total maceration
Spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels
Aging
Aged 20 months in French oak barrels; 67% new.
Appearance