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Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Classic Napa Valley Cabernet with aromas of deep cassis, blackberry and cedar. Notes of coffee, chocolate, vanilla and licorice with a touch of leather. Very rich on the palate with strawberry, cassis, coffee and cedar. Ample, yet fine-textured tannin and a lasting finish.

The Vintage
A relatively early budbreak, cool spring and a summer on the hot side made this one of the longest growing seasons for some time. Some winemakers had trouble ripening Cabernet Sauvignon this vintage but that wasn't a problem on these steep hillside vineyards. The grapes from the 1998 Cabernet come from a small "crown" formation near the top of the site.

Vinification
The grapes were crushed and fermented on the skins with wild yeast for 13 days. The wine was then put in French oak barrels, 30% new, and aged for 28 months before bottling unfined and unfiltered.

Technical Information
Grapes harvested: October 27, 1998
Sugar at harvest: 24.7 degrees Brix
TA (Titrateable Acidity): 5.7 g/l
pH: 3.68
Alcohol: 14.5%
Cases produced: 419