Vintage
Vintage 2002 started wet, even before the calendar said it was 2002 - we almost had our seasonal average of rain before the New Year – with January and February being unusually dry and typically cold. We had light rain at the end of March that slowed down budbreak but without causing any major problems. Unsettled weather through spring kept things interesting. More cool weather in May extended bloom, which could have caused uneven ripening. At the end of May we were about two weeks behind 2001. Veraison began in late July, later than average, but earlier than 1998 and 1999. Moving into the final stages of the growing season we were in pretty good shape considering that our summer had been fairly mild. 2002 was a vintage won in the vineyard, beginning shortly after budbreak with shoot thinning, and on through the season with crop thinning to balance the vines and eliminate any damaged or delayed fruit. This work by our growers allowed us to bring in ripe, uniform, high quality fruit with intense flavors and nice natural acid levels.

Vinification
The small lots from select vineyards around the state underwent a gentle regimen of cold-soaking, hand punchdowns and extended maceration to optimize the soft tannins. The components were selected barrel by barrel and aged separately in a combination of French and American oak for 16 months. The blend was created in December 2003 and bottled March 24, 2004.

Tasting Notes
This very complex, supple, aromatic blend boasts a rich, multi-faceted nose of blueberry, cedar, spicy oak and cherry and is equally intense and velvety on the palate. Enjoy with roasted leg of lamb, barbequed chicken, fresh tomato sauce, juicy burgers served off the grill and mild flavored cheeses such as Monterey Jack, Gouda, Fontina.

< Back