Nickel & Nickel Sullenger Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2000

The spring arrived later than usual and flowering occurred during cool weather, reducing crop production. Fortunately, we had planned on utilizing more of our own estate vineyard, which counteracted the lower yields. This new section of the vineyard is planted to a different rootstock than the first, adding more complexity to the final wine. The ideal growing season of ‘99 helped develop the fruit, resulting in more concentration and richer, rounder tannins.

This vintage is very characteristic of the Sullenger Vineyard. As with most of the wines from 1999, there is a focus on riper fruit flavors of plum and cherry. The vines from the new section of the vineyard add layers of blackberry, plum and cherry to further round out the wine, deepening its flavor and complexity. Notes of coffee and herb, coupled with sweet, toasty oak, add to the finish. There is considerable volume in this wine, but not necessarily more tannins.