Nose

stunning aromatics of violet, dried herbs and clove.

Palate

A
palate of impressive concentration, structure and elegance explodes
with flavors of perfectly ripened black fruits, baker’s cocoa and
graphite. The finish offers firm, fine-grained tannins and a reprise of the
graphite and spice that make this such a distinctive cabernet sauvignon.

Growing Conditions

Extended cool weather and rains in spring did not
delay bud break in Carneros as was the case in other
parts of the Napa Valley. This combined with the long,
temperate growing season that followed, allowed
for slow, full and even ripening of the fruit and
development of tannins.

Harvest

Hand-harvested grapes.

Bottling

Unblended, unfined and unfiltered; Bottled June 2007 .

Winemaking

♦ Fermented in a single 5-ton closed-top stainless steel fermentor with
indigenous yeasts
♦ 5-day cold soak, 34 days total maceration
♦ Spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels; 6 months to completion

Aging

Aged 20 months in French oak barrels from Taransaud, Seguin Moreau,
Alain Fouquet, Demptos; 87% new.

Appearance

The 2005 shows characteristic power and finesse with a true-blue/black
saturated hue.