Harvest Date September 6-7

Growing Season The growing season began with warm dry weather in spring resulting in early bud break. A long summer of even temperatures had a moderating effect, lowering yields and developing complexity in the fruit. A week of heat in late summer resulted in an early harvest and lush, concentrated wines.

Winemaking

• Hand-harvested grapes
• Whole cluster, direct to press, cold
• Barrel fermented with indigenous yeasts; 2 months to completion
• Concurrent spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels; 2 to3 months to completion
• Aged 16 months in Francois Freres, Remond and Cadus French oak barrels; 75% new
• Aged sur lies and stirred monthly
• Unblended, unfined and unfiltered; bottled January 2006