Winemaker Notes
This Cabernet Sauvignon is an artistic blend of wines made from hillside grapes grown in the valleys of Sonoma and Dry Creek. For balance, structure and complexity, Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Lake County and Alexander Valley round out the blend.
The fruit for this wine was harvested in late September/October after 2002's exceptional, mild growing season. Following fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine was aged for twenty-four months in 60 gallon French and American oak barrels.
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.