Aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, cigar box, toffee and mint lead to fresh dark berry and red currant flavors and hints of dried herbs. The palate is soft and inviting, and the finish offers lingering notes of fruit, caramel and almond.
Though the 2008 growing season presented certain challenges—from early frosts to drought conditions—a meticulous approach to viticulture and sorting yielded small crops with good concentration, highlighting soft, appealing tannins for our red varietals and bright acidity for our white grapes. A long, moderately cool summer led to a harvest that commenced in mid-August and concluded in early November. This relatively relaxed pace allowed us to pick in numerous passes to ensure quality, often focusing on individual rows or a single side of the vines.
Harvest Dates: September 1 — November 7, 2008
Average Sugar at Harvest: 25° Brix
11 Napa Valley appellations
Varietal Content
92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Cooperage
100% French Oak Château-Style Barrels (60 Gallons)
Barrel Aging: 12 Months
Age of Barrels: 5% new, 95% second vintage
Production/Technical Data
Alcohol: 14.5%
0.57 g/100 ml titratable acidity
8-10 days fermentation at 80°F
pH: 3.59
Bottled: January 2010
Released: February 2010
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