Semillon

Late Harvest, Napa Valley 2002

Vintage
2002 began as a mostly mild season. Frost in April and unexpected rain in May caused some uneven bloom and set during flowering. Summer brought long, mild days with a couple of heat spikes in mid-Summer creating some fast-ripening days. The result was highly concentrated and complex fruit flavors with modest peracre tonnage in a highly compressed harvest period.

Vineyards
The grapes for this wine were selected from a vineyard in southeast Napa Valley, where morning fogs linger and development of Botrytis cinerea is encouraged. The micro-climate provides ideal conditions for flavor and sugar concentration.

Vinification
Vineyards were hand-picked at the peak of maturity. Following harvest, the grapes were gently crushed and fermented. The wines were then aged in three small, new French oak barrels with extended lees contact for twenty-six months.

Tasting Notes
This rich, complex Late Harvest Semillon delivers ripe tropical fruit accented by vanilla, orange rind and citrus notes. The generous fruit is balanced by firm acidity that complements the wine s sweet finish.

Technical Data:

Varietal Composition 100% Semillon
Alcohol 14.1%
TA 0.82g/100ml
pH 3.31
Oak Aging 26 months
Oak Cooperage French oak, new
Appellation Napa Valley
Production 163 cases
Bottling Date February 15, 2005
Harvest Brix 35º
Brix at Bottling 9.5º