2003 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Blend
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
The Vintage
The 2003 growing season began with a cool, very wet spring that delayed bud break. However, the bright sunshine in May and into summer, allowed the vines to begin positive growth and development. The grape flavors increased slowly during the mild summer months and a heat spike in mid September elevated the sugars and flavor profiles. Weather was ideal in the first weeks of October allowing the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to reach full maturity.
Winemaking
The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were again harvested from the Leonardini Vineyard in St. Helena and Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford at an average of 24.6¡ brix. These grapes from the Morisoli Vineyard were picked by hand on October 13th and 14th and the fruit from the Leonardini Vineyard was harvested on October 17th and 18th. The wine was aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 25 months.
Tasting Notes
The wine begins with a deep ruby color. There are aromas of black fruit and mocha that meld with the lush, viscous, well-concentrated flavors of black cherry, chocolate and oak-vanilla spice. This Reserve offering is round, ripe and deliciously succulent and offers a long, silky smooth finish.
The Closure
The 2003 Reserve Cabernet is the first wine in North America to be distributed with a revolutionary glass closure. The Vino-Seal™ is an elegant alternative to cork which is easy to open and preserves the natural purity of the wine's flavor and aroma. The Vino-Seal™ was designed by engineers at Alcoa as an alternative to cork that was more stylish and graceful than a screw cap. The glass closure was developed in Germany and has been gaining popularity with European winemakers and consumers since its introduction in 2003.
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