1999 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ESTATE GROWN NAPA VALLEY

Tasting Notes: Deep rich cassis-black cherry aroma and flavors, with hints of anise and chocolate are matched with just enough smoky tobacco oak overtones. The texture is especially velvety and the tannins smooth and polished. This wine turns even more complex on the finish, where earthy and spicy anise, clove, chocolate and coffee flavors fan out. This single vineyard, unblended Cabernet is balanced with soft tannins and lively acidity. The intensity of aroma, flavor, acidity, Cabernet and oak tannins are in perfect balance such that we expect peak quality and character to emerge within 6 to 10 years.

Grapes: Our two-acre vertically trellised Estate vineyard produces 300-400 cases a year (sold in 6-bottle packs). In most years, the grapes are harvested in mid-late September. Our 600-800 ft. elevation above the valley floor assures a frost-free growing season with even and early ripening. In most years, bud break occurs in mid-March, several weeks earlier than the valley floor and high mountain Cabernet vineyards.

Vinification: Fermentation took place in small vats, with 18 to 20 days of skin contact and 22 months aging in new Seguin-Moreau and Taransaud 60-gallon barrels. Egg white fining was used to clarify and reduce harsher tannins, and the wine is filtered to safeguard against any possibility of spoilage organisms.

Notes from Bob Long: In 1989-90 we set out to plant on our Pritchard Hill Estate a state-of-the-art Cabernet vineyard that would match our very successful Estate Chardonnay. This wine began to come into its own in the 1997 vintage with rich and pungent fruit. Perhaps it was a little less so in the 1998 vintage, but now in the 1999 it is much fuller - a sign that this 10-year old vineyard is reaching maturity. The level and intensity of fruit in aroma and taste is equal to or superior to any of the Cabs coming from our neighbors in the Eastern Hills - Bryant Family Vineyards, David Arthur, Dalla Valle. Perhaps the only difference with these wines is the level of toast of the barrels; we did not use heavy toast.

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