As a true mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, there is an unmistakable wildness to this wine—both in its robust structure and in the character of its fruit. Notes of forest floor, wild herbs, dried fruits and coffee support intense bramble fruit flavors, as well as layers of cassis and mulberry. Though the tannins are abundant and a little rustic, they frame the fruit perfectly giving the wine excellent balance.
The 2007 growing season began early and was unusually dry, with rainfall totals that were 50 percent below average. Cool spring weather continued into the summer with temperatures down by approximately 5 degrees from August through October. The cool, steady weather produced a long harvest spread out over 80 days. This relaxed pace allowed us to pick in multiple passes, ensuring ideal ripening and flavor development in the fruit.
Appellation: Howell Mountain
Harvest Dates: September 4 — October 31, 2007
Average Sugar at Harvest: 28.5° Brix
3 Vineyards Harvested
Varietal Content
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot
Cooperage
100% French oak château-style barrels (60 Gallons)
Barrel Aging: 24 Months
Age of Barrels: 82% New, 18% Second Vintage
Production and Technical Data
Alcohol: 14.5%
Titratable Acidity: 0.59 g/100ml
pH: 3.58
Bottled: March 2010
Released: September 2011