Nose
A nose of briar, blackberry and blueberry is marked by mixed aromas of coffee, tobacco
and vanilla.
Palate
Elegant in structure and balance, this medium to full-bodied Cabernet is teeming with cherry, blackberry
and tobacco flavors, with firm, cloaking tannins giving way to an extended finish of berries and toast. This
wine may be enjoyed now or cellared for ten years.
Growing Conditions
The 2005 vintage was generous in size and structure. Following a wet winter and heavy, late spring
rains, bloom and fruit set on the vines was delayed. Summer was mild, with temperatures heating up in July and
August but moderated by a September cool-down, which delayed harvest until October and allowed for excellent
flavor maturation.
Harvest
Grapes were hand harvested in October 2005 from our three narrowly-spaced estate vineyards
in the Rutherford appellation.
The 2005 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon
and Merlot from our estate vineyards.
Bottling
This wine was unfined and was bottled in April of 2007.
Winemaking
This vintage we continued our extensive cluster and berry sorting practices prior to light
crushing. A long season and rich maturity of tannins allowed for an extended maceration of 24 to 30 days. This
contact with the skins develops the expansive mouthfeel and tannin structure of the wine.
Aging
Aged in new, one, and
two-vintage-old French oak barrels for 15 months.