Nose

Aromatics of ripe, dark cherries.

Palate

Richly concentrated flavors of dark, ripe blackberries graced with cedar and a bit of espresso. Built to impress early, it also possesses a structure that will allow it to age elegantly for decades.

Growing Conditions

Designed to allow us to focus our attention on one outstanding block of estate Merlot each vintage, the Mountain Top vineyard again shown most brightly in 2003. A component in our 2003 Napa/Sonoma Merlot (released earlier this year) and our Reserve Claret, as a vineyard designate it is simply a must have wine.

Bottling

Bottled: September 2003.

Winemaking

Fermentation: Alcholic & Malolactic in Stainless Steel Tanks

Aging

Cooperage: French Oak.