2003 Trinchero Family Cabernet Sauvignon

VINEYARD INFORMATION

Trinchero Family Cabernet features fruit from our estate and contact
vineyards in some of California's top growing regions for Cabernet. In
2003, the foundation for the blend was from Lake County (62%), rounded
out with Napa (23%) and Santa Barbara (15%) fruit.

WINEMAKING

Our 2003 Cab was fermented using the rack -and-return method (delestage) favored by many top Bordeaux chateaux. During this process, we rack the fermenting wine into an empty tank, allowing the cap to settle
to the bottom. We then return the wine back to that original tank, splashing the juice over the cap. This helps to develop deeper color and greater flavor extraction. It also gives us the opportunity to remove seeds, which can add harsh tannins to a finished wine. After a 14 -day maceration, the wine was transferred to a combination of new and used
French (50%), American (45%) and Hungarian (5%) oak barrels.

WINEMAKER NOTES

Our goal with our Family tier is to produce wines that are pure, forward, fruit-driven and delicious. The 2003 Cabernet is impressive for its depth and varietal character. The flavors are ripe and intense and packed with cassis, cherries, leather and tobacco. The tannis are present, but soft and well integrated. This 2003 delivers great class and extraordinary value.

HARVEST DETAILS

Appellation: Lake County, Napa
County, Santa Barbara
Date: Septemer 20 -November 5,
2003
Brix: 25.89

WINE INFORMATION

Composition: 100% Cabernet
Sauvignon
Barrel Aging: 18 months in oak
(25% new)
Alcohol: 13.6%
Cases: 30,000
Release Date: April, 2005