2003 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon:
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Wine Spectator - 91 Points

“Dark, ripe and intense, with layers of red currant, black cherry, wild berry and plum, with pretty toasty oak shadings and a tight focus that leads to a long, persistent aftertaste.” (JL)

The spring and early summer of 2003 delivered weather full of promise for a great vintage, and with patience through late summer events, the quality expectations were fulfilled. A two-week high heat and low humidity weather pattern at the end of September caused an early accumulation of high sugars and stressed vine canopies. Many winemakers likely panicked and scrambled to harvest in fear of further dehydration and severe yield loss due to raisining. However, the under-ripe flavor and tannin profiles coupled with elevated acid levels in the grapes indicated it was best to let the fruit hang in spite of high brix. Delightfully, the tail end of September cooled off, bringing down the pseudo sugars (most actually dropped 1 to 2 brix!) and allowing for proper steady and slow ripening. The following month of October was ideally modest and very even, helping our fruit reach optimum concentration of pigment, ripe tannin and ripe flavors.

This blend was handcrafted from small lots harvested exclusively from vineyards in Yountville and Coombsville. These small batches were kept separate during fermentation, after pressing, and throughout the first year of aging in French oak barrels. During the second year of barrel aging, the components were blended in several phases creating optimum complexity while retaining balance, varietal character, and superior quality. This wine was aged in barrels for 20 months and bottled in July of 2005.

We, the Buoncristiani brothers, take pride in performing all aspects of enology, viticulture, wine production, and art design in order to share with you a true expression of our winemaking passion.

P.O. Box 6946 -- Napa, CA 94581 -- Phone: (707)259-1681 -- Fax: (707)259-1740 -- bros@buonwine.com