Facts:
• Vineyards: Our estate vineyards are located in the Oak Knoll District of southern Napa Valley. The climate here is ideal for Merlot with fog burning off early, and the cooling influence of San Pablo Bay helping to moderate daytime peak temperatures. The result is that natural acidity and the more delicate nuances of varietal character are consistently preserved. Soils are of the Hare clay loam type underlaid with gravel, and are shallow (18”) and low in vigor.
• The Vintage: Harvest came on September 7 at 24.3 Brix.
• Winemaking: All fruit was hand harvested and gently pressed to yield a juice that needed no further adjustment. The first half of fermentation was conducted in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature to preserve aromatics. At the end of barrel aging the finished wine was carefully inert gas racked to tanks for final settling.
• Cooperage and Aging: Approximately 70% new French Oak and 30% new American Oak was used this year. The wine was aged for 20 months in barrel.
• Final Analysis:
Alcohol = 14.6 %
953 cases were bottled on December 17, 2003