· Overflowing with Howell Mountain aromatics highlighting dark brambly fruit, wild berry pie notes, ripe blackberry and plum aromas, as well as sweet cedar, dark chocolate, tarragon, nutmeg and coffee
· On the palate, this beautifully balanced wine offers a rich, ripe entry, with a firm, yet approachable structure
· Flavors of chocolate, sweet cedar, clove, cinnamon and tobacco mingle in the complex mid-palate and carry through to a long, satisfying finish
· 2009 presented certain challenges-from early shatter to late-season rain
· We responded with site-specific techniques that included aggressive leafing, an early thinning protocol and a heavy field sort to select only the most desirable grapes
· Attention to detail in the vineyards, and during harvest and sorting, yielded high quality fruit
Composition
72% Zinfandel, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon
Origin
Appellation: Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
Harvest Dates: October 5 — October 23, 2009
Aging & Oak
16 months in oak
100% French oak
60% new
Production and Technical Data
Average Sugar at Harvest: 25.5° Brix
Alcohol: 14.5%
0.58 g/ml titratable acidity
pH: 3.96
Bottled: June 2011
Released: February 2012