Nose

A nose of ripe berry, smoke and
black pepper set the stage for a wine that is big and bold in character
but elegant, well-balanced and silky in texture.

Palate

The palate opens with
dense flavors of red currant and blackberry, complemented by notes
of thyme, bacon fat and graphite. The finish is long and velvety,
exhibiting fine, ripe tannins accented by balanced acidity and white
pepper.

Growing Conditions

2006 was slightly cooler overall than 2005 and
began with delayed bud break due to a long, wet
spring. The weather warmed in May, continuing
through summer and into fall to provide the
extended growing season needed for fruit to
ripen fully.

Harvest

Hand-harvested grapes.

Bottling

Unfined, unfiltered, bottled in March 2008.

Winemaking

♦ Fermented in small, open-top stainless steel fermentors with
indigenous yeasts
♦ 5 day cold soak, 21 days total maceration
♦ Spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels

Aging

Aged 15 months in French oak barrels; 75% new.

Appearance

Saturated crimson-violet color.