Winemaker's Notes

Tantalizing, fruity nose gives way to layers of flavor for the palate, notably spicy apple, citrus, and tart apricot. Light vanilla notes in the lingering finish. Barrel fermented and aged in French oak for 10 months; 100% malolactic.

Vintage

The general characteristics of the 2000 growing season were an early spring and a summer somewhat cooler than 1998 and 1999. The average rain fall of 29 inches, the early spring, and the cooler than normal summer days plus cool nights gave an ideal growing season with traditional yields and high quality fruit with good sugar and acid balance that was picked in small lots. Finally, a September heat wave assured that all the fruit ripened and was harvested before the fall rains.

Vineyard

Originally planted in 1979 and 1980 on AXR rootstock, this 5-acre vineyard on the eastern slope of the Santa Cruz mountains has been replanted on St. George rootstock. The unirrigated vineyard is on a east-west ridge and the soils change from gravel to shallow clay as the vineyard descends from 1,000 to 900 feet.

Fermentation and Aging

Picked in three lots in September for ideal ripeness and whole cluster pressed a few hours later. The juice was settled overnight, then transferred to French oak for fermentation and 11 months of sur lees aging.