2003 Encounter - Sonoma County / Proprietary Red Wine
GRAPE SOURCE
Encounter is our proprietary name for this classic Bordeaux-style blend. Prime vineyard sites are meticulously selected to supply the fruit for Encounter, looking specifically for small high-elevation vineyards farmed by growers who are passionate about their fruit quality. The varietal components and vineyard sources may change with each vintage.Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot fruit for Encounter come from the 2.5 acre Calypso Vineyard located on a sloping hillside near Forestville and additional Cabernet Sauvignon from Bradford Mountain located on the northwestern side of Dry Creek Valley at about 1,000 feet elevation. The Petit Verdot comes from the Molinari Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley.
WINEMAKING
After carefully evaluating each lot, only the most interesting and finest barrels are used to assemble this red meritage blend. The wine was aged in 40% new, 30% 1 year-old and 30% 2 year-old French oak barrels for 17 months. With its tremendous depth, structure and precise balance, this wine will age gracefully for many, many years under appropriate cellaring conditions.
WINEMAKER'S NOTES
This wine has complex aromas of ripe plum, blueberry, cassis, blackberry jam and cedar. It’s full bodied and dense with black currant flavors and hints of chocolate and Kalamata olive further enhanced with classy oak notes and pepper spice. It has substantial, polished, well-integrated tannins and is a great wine for long-term cellaring. Enjoy this selection with beef tenderloin accompanied by braised swiss chard.
Bottled: April 19, 2005
Winemaker: Susan Reed
Varietal Composition: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot
Alcohol: 14.4%
Case Production: 211
Acid/pH: 0.75/3.39
Released: November 2007
Appellation: Sonoma County
PAST VINTAGES
2002 Encounter - Sonoma County, Proprietary Red Wine2001 Encounter - Sonoma County, Red Table Wine2000 Encounter - Sonoma County, Red Table Wine1999 Encounter - Sonoma County, Red Table Wine