Tasting Notes

Release Date: Spring 1998

To put it succinctly, the '95 Cabernet harvest was late, bountiful and stylish. A waiting game tested our nerves in the late October, but fortunately California's faithful Indian summer kicked in and gave us what winemakers always want...slowly, fully-ripened grapes. Harvest ended on Halloween day.

On the palate, minty, currant and plum flavors lead the attack, with fine grain tannins giving texture and youth to the finish. Not a big wine in scale it is more Bordeaux-like in its refined proportions and intriguing aromatics. Aged a full two years in new French Bordelaise barrels, a light egg white fining was given before being bottled unfiltered. One to two years are needed to reach maturity, and a drinking plateau of five to seven thereafter will be optimum.

Production

1,596

Tech Notes

Sorry, technical notes not available for this vintage.

Reviews

88 points Robert Parker Jr's The Wine Advocate - December 1998

The 1995 regular cuvee of Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, sees 30% new American oak and 70% used French barrels. The dark ruby/purple-colored 1995 offers a firm, restrained nose of black currants, minerals, earth, and spicy oak. Medium-bodied, moderately tannic, and firmly structured, it requires 2-3 years of cellaring, and should keep for 15+ years.