Winemaker Notes
This concentrated wine has a velvety texture, bright acidity, and firm, well-integrated tannins. The aroma is layered with red fruit, dried herbs, allspice, vanilla bean, and a hint of dust. On the palate, the flavors are dominated by dark red fruits, including ripe strawberries and dried cherries, with inviting accents of toasted oak, chocolate, and spice.
Production
The 2004 season began with an early bud break and flowering that led naturally to an early harvest. We began picking grapes the second week of August, but then experienced a cooling trend that allowed additional hang time for many of the later red varieties. This slow and steady period of ripening ended just after Labor Day when we welcomed a heat wave that accelerated harvest to an early finish.