2004 Bismark Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Aromas of sage, fresh olive, oak and black cherry.

$52.00 per bottle

The Vineyard
Our Bismark Mountain Vineyard is high above the City of Sonoma and San Pablo Bay. Here on the southwestern flanks of the Mayacamas Mountains we grow 27 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon amid outcroppings of Rhyolite. We began planting in 1991, and continue to fine tune our mix of cultivars to this day. This is steep ground; shared with creosote bush, Digger pine, coyote and mountain lion. Topographically, it is similar to the Douro. Windy and surprisingly cool, Bismark grudgingly produces grapes with an intense, deeply concentrated flavor. Bismark’s unique terroir is both fierce and alluring.

Vintage Notes
This vintage featured a tiny crop. We averaged 1.76 tons per acre from our 6 blocks of Bismark Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc averaged 1.05 TPA and Merlot 1.90 TPA. After a mid August heat wave, valley floor vineyards spiked in sugar. Bismark was cooler, and we were able to delay picking until mid September. Most of the fruit was picked October 7 through 16th. Sugars averaged 26.6 for the Cab Sauv and 27.6 for both Cab Franc and Merlot.

Tasting Notes
Aromas of sage, fresh olive, oak and black cherry.

Alcohol 14.5% Residual Sugar 0.036% pH 3.81 TA 0.65 g/100 mL Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Cabernet Franc 16%, Merlot 8%, Malbec, Syrah 1% Bottling Date September 4, 2007 Cases Produced 1,221