Winemaker Notes
The aroma exudes bountiful layers of strawberry, raspberry and cherry, accented by black olive, almond, and spice. On the palate, the flavors mirror the lush and layered bouquet with abundant red fruit notes (noticeably strawberry and cherry), complemented by cedar and oak.
Production
The 2003 growing season was marked by a cool, wet spring. As summer approached, carry-over moisture resulted in vigorous vine growth. A heat spike at the early part of flowering caused some shatter that resulted in reduced yields. Summer and early fall were relatively mild; but a flourish of heat at the latter part of harvest accelerated the ripening of fruit. The season ended with an extended mild period, allowing harvest to conclude at a relaxed pace.