***THIS IS AN ETCHED IMPERIAL-SIZED (6L) BOTTLE***

Nestled in the hills of southeastern Napa Valley, Arlene and Gerry Phelan’s vineyard & winery are small and personal. The vines and the wines are pure expressions of the terrain and the people who nurture it.

The vineyard climbs a steep, seven-acre site. Here the rocky, rugged soils produce Cabernet Sauvignon grapes with unparalleled intensity. The wines are rich and full-bodied, with a complexity that is distinctively Phelan. The 2005 growing season featured moderate temperatures and ideal ripening conditions. In mid-summer, excess grape clusters were removed to promote additional flavor intensity in the remaining fruit. The effort paid off, and the 2005 is considered Phelan’s finest release to date.

Tasting notes from Winemaker Bob Egelhoff: "The 2005 is a beautiful expression of mountain Cabernet, with intense color and superb body. Attractive aromas of black cherry and blueberry flow to notes of briar and smoky cedar. Mouth-filling with a weighty finish, layers of cherry and blackberry expand to dark chocolate and dusty spice. Drink now to enjoy the wine’s youthful power, or cellar for many years of graceful evolution."

Bottle Equivalents: 8 standard-sized bottles

Aging Potential: 12-20 years