Nose

A briary nose is marked with blackberry, ripe cherry, dried cherry, anise seed, tobacco
and mineral as well as slight vanilla and barrel toast elements.

Palate

Ripe sweet berry and cherry notes mingle with
creamy mocha flavors and hints of tobacco and minerals that carry through the medium to full palate. The
firm finish boasts toast, cherries, black peppercorn, cherry pie and slight tobacco nuances. Enjoy now or
cellar for ten years.

Growing Conditions

The 2003 season began with a cool, wet spring followed by temperatures in the 100’s in May.
The high heat led to shatter in some varieties, reducing the projected crop. Following a moderate, humid
summer there were two separate heat/wind events that caused some shrivel which necessitated slow and
selective picking. As a result of hand picking and sorting, the vintage is firm and concentrated, without being
overripe.

Harvest

Grapes were hand harvested in late September to mid October 2003 from our three narrow-spaced
estate vineyards in the Rutherford appellation.

Bottling

This
wine was not fined and was bottled in May of 2005.

Winemaking

This vintage we expanded our sorting capacity for all grapes to include both cluster and
berry sorting prior to light crushing. A long season and rich maturity of tannins allowed for an extended
maceration of 29 to 37 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 17 to 19 months.