Looking back, 2009 was a classic year, especially for this wine. The triad of a late September harvest, good winter rains and an exceptionally long growing season was the reason. Friends and visitors always ask about the effects of this weather or that. Truth be told, the uneventful is eventful to us winegrowers. Not too hot, not too cold, not too much rain and not too little. The "middle path" is where Buddhists and winemakers meet to make great wine.

This wine is an extravagant combination of our thirty plus year old mountain vineyard and a naturally generous vintage. Just coming together after two full years in the bottle, its deep, layered, racy flavors of blackberry, herb and cassis are, as always, presented with great balance and pedigree. This bottling is a blend of eighty-eight percent Cabernet Sauvignon, six percent Merlot, four percent Cabernet Franc and two percent Petit Verdot.

Give this wine some time, at least five to develop, you will definitely be rewarded. Aging potential is 20-40 years.