2002 Meritage

VINEYARD INFORMATION

The blend for this bottling was sourced from three vineyards; the
Carpenter Vineyard and our estate vineyard both which are located in St.
Helena and the Bella Vista Vineyard located near Calistoga. The Carpenter Vineyard is located on the northeastern edge of the town of St. Helena, just off of Fulton Lane. Located at the western edge of Napa
Valley, the Bella Vista Vineyard is just outside of the Diamond Mountain AVA's north border. At 1,200 feet elevation, it is a mountain Cabernet in every sense of the word - big, full bodied with ripe warm fruit aromas and flavors of cassis, blackberry, dark cherry and plum. The remainder of the blend came from our estate vineyard, on the valley floor directly adjacent to our winery in St. Helena.

WINEMAKING

Grapes were harvested between September 13 and September 23 at an average degree Brix of 23.52. One hundred percent free run juice was fermented using the delastage method favored by leading Bordeaux chateaux - what we sometimes refer to as "rack and return." In this technique, the winemakers drain a tank of juice and transfer it to another
tank, then return the juice to the fermenting tank, splashing it over the fallen caps of skins. This effects a more thorough maceration, resulting in enhanced color and flavor extraction. We have also incorporated seed removal with the delastage. This reduces the levels of seed tannins in the wines which are harsher and more astringent than the skin tannins. The
wine underwent 100% malolactic fermentation and was aged in barrel for 17 months.

WINEMAKER NOTES

This wine is deep ruby purple in color. Aromas of vanilla, cream, blueberries and cassis dominate the nose, with notes of cocoa and white pepper. On the palate, the wine is full bodied and displays layers of
blackberry, black cherry, cedar and spice. Viscous and complex, the wine lingers on the palate with mouthcoating fine tannins.

HARVEST DETAILS

Date: September 13 -23
Brix: 23.52

WINE INFORMATION

Composition: 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 22% Petit Verdot
Barrel Aging: 100% New Oak - 8% American, 92% French Oak
Alcohol: 13.55%
Total Acidity: 0.65g/100ml
Cases: 2,000 6 bottle
Release Date: December 2004