2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes
Our 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon displays an incredible array of blackberry, Asian spice, mineral, coffee bean and floral aromas with a hint of pencil lead, pain grille and earthy notes. In your mouth, the wine is very complex, showing an amazing core of ripe fruit. Seamless, very polished tannins caress every millimeter of your palate. Beautifully balanced with a terrific, long finish — this wine demonstrates a great sense of place.
The Year
The 2005 vintage started off as a big challenge because the previous year has been a freeze year with very little fruit to harvest. I was somewhat anxious and worried about how the vines would come back. We spent extra effort pruning, shoot thinning and crop thinning to make sure the fruit came back evenly. Mother Nature provided us with a classic wine-growing season. Bud break started around the third week in April, and very warm, sunny days filled the summer. We had plenty of heat units to fully ripen the grapes. Then the weather cooled off a little earlier than usual, dropping into the 80s around the end of August. This cooling-down period maximized flavor development. The wines from the 2005 vintage have terrific fruit intensity, show great natural acidity and are beautifully balanced.
Viticulture
Entirely estate; Certified Sustainable and Salmon Safe. Founding member of VINEA.
Wine Specifics
Varietal(s): 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot
Vineyard(s): 40% Pepper Bridge, 60% Seven Hills
Awards & Accolades
“This Cabernet, from Seven Hills Vineyard and Pepper Bridge Vineyard shows a bit more Pepper Bridge character, with its warm brown spice and plum scent. It’s fine, generous and elegant, a firm oak core supporting the sweet red fruit, which lasts through the finish. It’s drinking well now, but it would reward the patient. Serve with roast duck.”
–Wine & Spirits, 93 points
