2004 North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

Growing Region:

The North Coast appellation, which covers Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties, is renowned for the depth and richness of its Cabernet Sauvignon. Having access to a larger region offers the winemaker the luxury to choose the best grapes in order to create a balanced wine with lush fruit and firm tannins. The majority of the fruit sourced for the Greg Norman California Estates 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon vintage came from Sonoma County for its bright fruit profile, while fruit from other areas provided complexity and structure.

Winemaking:

In 2004, grapes arrived at the scales from many different parts of the North Coast. The first "rule" Winemaker Ron Schrieve subscribes to in making a North Coast Cabernet is to keep the grapes from different blocks and vineyards separate as they arrive. Each lot could likely become its own stand-alone wine, but Ron wanted to realize the full potential of each fruit parcel. By blending these lots in just the right proportions, a paramount Cabernet Sauvignon was ultimately created.

The grapes were crushed and fermented an average of seven to 10 days. Pump-overs three times a day helped extract color and tannins. After fermentation, Ron aged the wine for 16 months in one- and two-year-old French oak barrels to round out the firm tannins and add complexity and depth of flavors.

Winemaker's Notes:

"Considered by most wine-drinkers as the granddaddy of high quality wines, Cabernet Sauvignon is certainly on a high pedestal versus most lesser known varietals, and Cabernet Sauvignon grown on the North Coast of California has the potential to live up to these tall standards. I was thrilled when Greg presented me with the opportunity to make this wine.

When it came time to blend, we tasted through each lot and came up with what I think is a stellar Cabernet. It has 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." - Ron Schrieve, Winemaker

Suggested Food Pairing:

This wine is perfect for outdoor dining. Try it with tri-tip marinated with rosemary or a juicy hamburger fresh off the grill.

Technical Information:

Appellation: North Coast, California
Alcohol: 14.5%
pH: 3.65
Total Acidity: 0.64 g/100ml
Harvest Date: September to October 2004
Bottle Date: May 2007

 

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