winemaker's notes:
Our 2005 Artistry is a proprietary blend of 5 Bordeaux-varietal grapes. The varietals and percentages will change from year to year, with a goal of keeping the wine consistent in quality and style. The 2005 vintage is a dark garnet wine with aromas of baked cherries, dark plum, lavender, cinnamon, allspice and freshly-cut herbs. There are also hints of tobacco, leather, and toasted pecan. On the palate, this smooth-textured wine offers a full-mouth, medium bodied feel. The firm tannins are very well integrated, making the wine elegant and approachable at an early age. There are multiple layers to this complex blend that reveal themselves through decanting or by giving the wine time to open up in the glass.
The blend consists of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 14% Petite Verdot, 9% Malbec and 1% Merlot. 100% Napa Valley fruit coming from Oakville, Yountville and St. Helena, using a combination of hillside and valley floor vineyards.
