Nose
Aromas and flavors include black cherry, plum, cassis, floral notes, chocolate, black licorice, tea and spice.
Palate
The generous and velvety tannins allow the fruit and candy flavors, along with an earthy (Rutherford Dust) character, to evolve into a delightful finish that provides great depth to the wine.
Growing Conditions
While most Napa vineyards in 2005 produced record crops, the majority of our fruit comes from mountain and hillside vineyards that experience wildly different growing conditions. While the valley floor was ‘setting’ a huge crop in the spring, the mountains were a month behind and the resulting bloom weather in those sites was less than ideal. Our crop yields in the hills were close to half of what we hoped for but the resulting quality is perhaps the best yet at Neal Family. This year has the most intense concentration of flavors and aromas to date. Rich, ripe fruit and complexity sum up this Cabernet Sauvignon.
Vineyard Locations: Howell Mountain, Atlas Peak, Mt. Veeder, Rutherford, St. Helena, Coombsville
100% Organically Grown Grapes
Harvest
Harvesting took place over a month later than the 2004 season, but maturity and flavors from our organically grown fruit were impressive.
Bottling
Bottling is then decided upon when we taste the developed mouthfeel we are looking for.
Winemaking
Continuing the use of wild yeast fermentations and extended macerations shape the wines at an early stage, giving us ripe, intense character without excessive tannins and alcohol.
Aging
Barrel aging in our cave for over 22 months concentrates the flavors and refines the tannin profile. 22 Months in 80% New French Oak
