Nose
A heady mix of spice, fruit and flower aromas (clove, black berries, baked bing cherries with notes of lilac, violet and vanilla).
Palate
The 2003 Caravina is rich and mouth coating with ripe, soft tannins that belie the heft of the wine.
Growing Conditions
Seavey’s fifth estate-produced Caravina Cabernet, the 2003, was made from grapes that came from vines planted in several different locations of the south-facing hillside vineyard. The 2003 growing season was unpredictable and began with heat spikes in March followed by an extremely wet April. A long cool summer followed that allowed the fruit flavors to evolve. Heat spikes in September followed, helping move the harvest forward. The grapes were harvested with low yields (on average 1 to 1.5 tons/acre) from late September to later October.
Bottling
May 2005
Winemaking
Winemaking style followed classic Bordeaux methods. Harvested at optimal ripeness, the juice remained in contact with the skins for an average of 14 days and, following malolactic fermentation.
Aging
100% French Oak (40% new)
