Winemaker Notes
The continued addition of fruit from hillside vineyards and the blending of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot with the Cabernet Sauvignon is responsible for the well integrated flavors, deep color and full mouth feel of the 2003 vintage. The vibrant blueberry qualities of the Petit Verdot marry well with the soft, alluring flavors of Merlot and contribute to the complexity of the masculine, tannic nature of the Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2003 Cabernet is very rich in texture with opulent flavors, a restrained framework of oak and a lingering finish of subtle earth, cigar tobacco and cedar.
While Sonoma County is acclaimed—and rightfully so—for its Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Zinfandels, it also produces exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Of the region’s 18 American Viticultural Areas, only a handful produce top-notch Cabernet Sauvignon. These appellations include Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Sonoma Valley and Dry Creek Valley. Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignons made in these appellations can offer a complex array of aromas and flavors. Fruit notes such as blackberry, blackcurrant, cassis, black cherry and raspberry often are accompanied by hints of graphite, dusty earth, cigar box, toast and vanilla. The varietal has a rich history in Sonoma, and some of these Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet-based blends rival the best from Napa Valley.