Winemaker Notes
The oak profile lends depth and nuance to this elegantly structured wine. This wine has been blended with a selection of the finest Cabernet Franc we grow–to add minerality and flavor complexity–and Merlot to enhance mid-palate structure. It is a plush and sophisticated Cabernet Sauvignon balancing age-worthy acidity and integrated tannins with a soft, fleshy texture. Classic aromas of black olive, black currant, earth and mint are echoed on the palate alongside mineral undertones.
Production
The 2005 season began with a wet winter and spring, which led to annual rainfall totals that were well above average. We had an ideal fruit set, which produced an abundant number of full grape clusters. As a result, the vintage yielded exceptional fruit for the season. The harvest lasted over two months—into the early days of November. In many ways the 2005 season was reminiscent of the excellent 1997 vintage, which offered an abundant harvest of remarkable quality.