2000 Cabernet Sauvignon - Sonoma County / Sonoma County Selection

VINTAGE
We focus on mountain vineyards for our Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes. In fact, the Cabernet Franc vineyard used for this 2000 vintage release came from the 2200-foot Pine Mountain Vineyard, which I believe to be the highest elevation vineyard in Sonoma County. At this location we see significant nighttime cooling, which is crucial for maintaining good natural acidity in wine grapes. In fact, grapes grown on Pine Mountain may be a bit too high in acid, (an almost unheard of problem in California) but are tremendous blending components for vineyards with more typical levels of acidity.

Other important contributors to this blend include the sensational Cabernet fruit components from Bradford Mountain and Redwood Hill. These properties, along with Pine Mountain, bring tremendous fruit intensity and a firm structure and stature, while the Merlots from Calypso Vineyard and Ladi's Vineyard contributes richness, elegance and a very forward alluring berry fruit component.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES
These grapes were hand harvested between September 28th and November 1st, with an average sugar content of 23.5 degrees brix, .74 gm/100 ml total titratable acidity and 3.41 pH.

Bottled: September 2000
Winemaker: Gary Farrell
Varietal Composition: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon,11% Merlot,9% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 13.8%
Case Production: 1560
Acid/pH: 0.68/3.45