Nose

Our 2012 FORTIS presents an immense and captivating bouquet
filled with black cherry, boysenberry jam and cassis fruit, intermingled with nuances of
freshly ground espresso, dark baking cocoa, sweet spice and toasty oak.

Palate

The palate is
exquisitely plush and mouthfilling, rushing with flavors of ripe raspberry, blackberry pie
and black plum, supported by a framework of elegant tannins and touches of creamy
vanilla, silky chocolate and toasted brioche that remain through the lengthy, alluring
finish.

Growing Conditions

Only the finest blocks of the most outstanding fruit are selected from
our 200 acres of estate vineyards across the Napa Valley for this special bottling.
Every vintage, the appellation composition of this wine will vary depending upon the
performance and character of each vineyard.

For 2012, the blend is composed of 37%
Stags Leap District, 30%, Oakville, 21% Howell Mountain and 12% Rutherford fruit.

With consistently mild temperatures throughout
spring and summer, 2012 was a stellar vintage in Napa Valley, allowing slow, even
ripening and yielding exquisite, balanced fruit.

Harvest

The fruit for this wine was harvested at
an optimal level of ripeness in mid-October. The berries were hand-harvested at night,
carefully sorted and destemmed to tank, where fermentation took place.

Aging

Racked to 60% new French oak barrels, where it was aged for 18 months prior to
bottling.

Food Pairing

This stellar bottling will surely dazzle any table, so a substantial yet simplyprepared
meal, such as New York strip loin with creamy grits and seasonal vegetables,
would make a fabulous pairing. This opulent Cabernet would complete an incredible
cheese course if served alongside a three-year aged Gouda.