Release Date: Spring 1998

To put it succinctly, the ’95 Cabernet harvest was late, bountiful and stylish. A waiting game tested our nerves in the late October, but fortunately California’s faithful Indian summer kicked in and gave us what winemakers always want…slowly, fully-ripened grapes. Harvest ended on Halloween day.

On the palate, minty, currant and plum flavors lead the attack, with fine grain tannins giving texture and youth to the finish. Not a big wine in scale it is more Bordeaux-like in its refined proportions and intriguing aromatics. Aged a full two years in new French Bordelaise barrels, a light egg white fining was given before being bottled unfiltered. One to two years are needed to reach maturity, and a drinking plateau of five to seven thereafter will be optimum.