"Deep, dark, and brooding in its appearance, the nose exhibits complex aromas of crème de cassis, ripe black cherry, smoky spice and blueberry. The palate, framed by supple tannins, is dense and rich with nuances of brown sugar, caramel and creamy vanilla. The finish is long and lingering with subtle tones of spice, tobacco and violets." – Erin Green, Winemaker 2002
Composition
73.5% Cabernet Sauvignon
16.3% Merlot
5.1% Malbec
4.9% Petit Verdot
0.1% Cabernet Franc
Vineyards
- Thorevilos,
- Rancho Chimiles
Proprietary Red: An Iconic Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend
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Critics
92 Points
James Laube, Wine Spectator, October 2003
Wonderful richness, complexity and concentration, with layers of mouth-coating dark fruits centered around currant, plum, blackberry and even a trace of prune. Finishes with a long gush of ripe fruit and ripe tannins that ease into the elegant aftertaste.
91 Points
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, May/June 2003
Saturated bright ruby. Aromas of blackberry, black raspberry, minerals and loam are fresher and more focused than those of the 2000 merlot. Musky, juicy, rich flavors of black fruits, black licorice, minerals and mocha. Perhaps not as deep as some recent vintages of this wine, but offers solid structure. Finishes firmly tannic and sweet, with more obvious grip than the Merlot.
Winemaking
- Winemaker:
- Erin Green
- Alcohol:
- 14.6%
- Harvested:
- September 23 to October 28, 2000
- Bottled:
- April 23, 2002
- Released:
- September 15, 2003
Harvested by the end of October from hand picked lots, the whole berries were fermented in short open-topped stainless steel tanks, cold soaked and using native yeasts. The wine then continued through malolactic fermentation in 100% new French oak barrels for 18 months and was bottled neither fined nor filtered.
