Vineyard
At 2300 ft., Ash Creek is the highest-elevation vineyard in Sonoma County. The name Ash Creek is derived from the vineyard’s thin, volcanic, ash-like soil. The combination of its high altitude climate – cooler days, warmer nights, shorter growing season – and stingy soils make for low yields of intensely concentrated fruit.

Vintage
The season began on a wet note - we got almost a year's average rainfall in December 2002 – but an unseasonably warm spring gave us an early bud break in March. The vines began to grow and the weather turned cold and wet again in April; depending on location we had rain between 20 to 26 days of the month. This cool overcast weather virtually stopped vine growth and filled the soil with water. As it turned out, April rains and soil moisture ended up being the big story of 2003. Warm weather in May got things going again with explosive growth, then June cooled off and it became apparent that it was going to be a late harvest. There were rumblings about similarities with 1998, but with record heat in July, the situation looked hopeful. August cooled some but brought a tropical weather pattern and the fear of rain. The weather warmed in late September and it became a challenge to control sugars while waiting for flavor maturity. Once harvest began in mid-September, but thanks to a cooling trend, we were able to bring in fruit with great ripeness and maturity through October. 2003 was unique and, weather-wise all over the board. But we got what we needed at critical times and most varietals fared beautifully.

Vinification
Cabernet Sauvignon from the Tin Cross block was fermented in a stainless steel fermenter for 28 days and then placed in French oak for 25 months. The wine, which was bottled in January of 2004 was aged an additional 27 months before release. Alcohol 14.6%, Total acidity .58, pH 3.84, Residual sugar .03%.

Tasting Notes
Cabernets from this vineyard are generous in both flavor and texture. The 2003 is an unusually supple wine and very ripe in style, with mouth-filling richness and flavors ranging from cedar and leather, to cassis and blackberry.

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