Justin Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Aggressively pruning the vines helps focus the plants stored carbohydrates on promoting strong early growth in shoots. When shoots reach around 6 to 8 inches, we remove any growth not intentionally left at pruning. To help intensify color, ripen tannins and maintain healthy vines, we increased sun exposure and air circulation by removing laterals and creating a tunnel through the middle of the canopy. In May, we removed smaller fruit bearing shoots that might have had difficulty ripening their clusters to decrease production and increase fruit quality. The warm summer provoked early veraison, and to ensure we had even maturity throughout the vineyard, we removed green or pink colored fruit. Yields of less than 3 tons per acre extended the growing season and we harvested most of the Cabernet Sauvignon near the end of October—3 weeks later than normal.

Tasting Notes
Bright cherry, blackberry, and a hint of caramel make up the nose of this wine. A soft entry composed of elegant fruit leads into a fleshy, round mid palate. The finish combines slight toasty flavors with a rich, round finish.