Drought-breaking winter storms replenished ground-water reserves at Monte Bello. Warm, summer weather ripened grapes for an October harvest. Significant tannins showed in the earliest fermentations so they reduced the pump-overs to avoid over-extraction. For this wine they blended the lots showing softer tannins and great fruit intensity. Though approachable now, this wine will continue to develop greater complexity over the next ten years.
Harvested from the Monte Bello Vineyard made from 75% cabernet sauvignon, 21% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 1 % peitit verdot.