Vintage 2005 provided some early hurdles but with attention to detail in the vineyards and with patience to hold harvest until the late season warmth, the vintage actually provided the platform for spectacular wines. A cool, late and somewhat wet spring slowed the start of the growing season and the even and relatively moderate summer conditions pointed to a late harvest. Serious crop thinning and canopy management of the excess vigor was therefore imperative to obtain the desired concentration and ripeness levels. These timely actions early on coupled with excellent late season warmth allowed the slow and steady ripening that we love, creating optimum concentration of pigment, tannin, flavor, and Cabernet Sauvignon varietal expression. To ensure our highest standard of quality, grapes were sourced from vineyards managed by Buoncristiani or from other Napa Valley growers who adhere to the Buoncristiani Brothers’ strict viticultural philosophy. This blend was handcrafted from small lots harvested exclusively from vineyards on Mt Veeder, in Yountville, and in 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 unfined and unfiltered in July of 2007. BLEND 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 2% Merlot CASES 324