Vineyard
As a virtual rock quarry, Sunny Slope Vineyard's vines were planted in holes drilled or pick-axed out of fractured stone over 20 years ago. The deep roots - a result of maturity and years of laboring for water—combine with the warm southwest exposure to produce thick-skinned grapes which give us the concentrated flavors, inky color and extracted tannins that distinguish this vineyard. In 1997, the growing season began with a cold, wet winter, which gave way to a very cool spring and summer, followed by a September and October that finally saw warm weather. As a result the grapes enjoyed a long hang time on the vine producing extra intensity and concentration to the flavors and tannin structure. The Cabernet Sauvignon from Sunny Slope Vineyard was harvested on October 21st.

Vintage
In 1998, the growing season began with a cold, wet winter, which gave way to a very cool spring and summer, followed by a September and October that finally saw warm weather. As a result the grapes enjoyed a long hang time on the vine producing extra intensity and concentration to the flavors and tannin.

Vinification
We blended various blocks within the vineyard to create a more complex and concentrated wine. Each block was fermented in open top fermenters for 12 days and then placed in French and American oak for 19 months and bottle aged for an additional 14 months. This wine was bottled in July of 2000. Alcohol 14.5%, T.A. .63, pH 3.59, residual sugar .06, cases produced 250.

Tasting Notes
This is a big, full-bodied wine showing black fruits, blackberry, bramble and chocolate finishing long with fine-grained tannins.

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