2002 North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting Notes

The wine exhibits deep, rich flavors of blueberry and ripe black currant, and a nice velvety mouthfeel. It finishes out with discrete notes of sweet oak and a touch of mint.

Vineyards

The North Coast appellation, which covers Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties, is renowned for the depth and richness of its cabernet sauvignon. The majority of the fruit sourced for the Greg Norman California Estates 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon vintage came from Sonoma County for its bright fruit profile, while fruit from other areas provided complexity and structure.

Winemaking

To realize the full potential of each fruit parcel, the grapes from different vineyards were kept separate as they arrived. The grapes were crushed and fermented an average of seven to 10 days. Pump-overs three times a day helped extract color and tannins. The wine was aged for 23 months in seasoned French barrique to round out the firm tannins and add complexity and depth of flavors.

Winemaker

Ron Schrieve

Technical Details

Alcohol: 13.5%
pH: 3.70
Total Acidity: 0.60 g/100ml
Harvest Date: September to October 2002

 

Ratings & Reviews

Wine Spectator (November 15, 2006)
James Laube's Recommended California Cabernets: A Top Value

 

Wine Spectator (December 15, 2005)
"Well-proportioned, with a complex mix of herb, red currant, black cherry and sage and rosemary notes, with cedary tobacco notes folding in on the finish. Tannins are supple and integrated. Drink now through 2010." - Jim Laube

 

Gourmet Magazine (May 2006)
"Our Favorite. Forward red-berry aromas. Relatively complex, the fruit is, blissfully, not overripe. Good structure with soft tannins." - James Rodewald

 

Colorado Wine News (Jan-Mar 2006)
"A bouquet of black cherry, blackberry, vanilla, and light smoke. All repeat as light-bodied flavors plus granular tannin and finish long and medium-broad." - Harold Baer, Jr.

 

Koeppelonwine.com (December 5, 2005)
"Very Good. Rich, intense and succulent cassis, black cherry and black raspberry flavors that nestle comfortably in the depths." - Harold Baer, Jr.