Where to begin? 2005 was the begining! This wine is a blend of multiple vintages and varietals from some of the very best appellations in California. It is a Cabernet Franc dominated blend that also includes Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  The vibrance of the Franc adds balance and youthfulness to the blend while the older vintages add to its’ structure, depth, and complexity. To me blends like this create wines that are not possible to make from a single vintage. Drawing upon the strengths of multiple wines from different times and places gives us the unique opportunity to create a singular wine unlike any other. Contrasting yet complimentary flavors that can only come from vintage diversity within the bottle. 

• As soon as you pour, the aromas begin. The fruit first; cherries, santa rosa plum, and currants. Followed up by deeper notes of cherry liquor, plum jam, eucalyptus, mint, tobacco, pepper, violets, lavender, chocolate, spices (clove, licorice, nutmeg) and caramel. Thats not all either, it just seems to keep unfolding for hours. Once you take that all in you will probably begin to notice the opaque ruby/ garnet color. Now its time to drink as we smell. Again, ripe but bright red and black fruit. Cherries, plums, currants, and black berries that are gently influenced by cocoa, mint, spices, and conifer forest. The whole experience is tied together by a smooth, but grippy tannin profile and a vibrant natural acidity that provides freshness and unification to the many facets of this wine.

Im drinking it now as it is ready. I think it has 12-15 years of getting even better ahead of it as well so don’t hesitate to put some away.