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2005 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Robust, rich mid palate with low acidity and a firm finish. Brilliant dark ruby in color with an aroma of brooding earth and dark fruit.
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Hanna's 2005 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was grown on our Red Ranch in Alexander Valley. Below Hoot Owl Creek, this benchland ranch is planted on Clough Series gravelly loam soil. Above Hoot Owl it is planted on Laughlin Series Sandy Loam. These are soils of 2 feet depth and less. The vineyard is planted to 45 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and 24 acres of Merlot. There is a 49 plant test plot of Malbec. The Cabernet is planted to clone 7, 2 and 6. Merlot is planted to clone 3. Vine age varies in our 2005 vintage from 4 to 15 years.
The vintage was a challenging one. Abundant spring rains resulted in luxuriant growth requiring extra passes for canopy management. Bloom weather was good, and we set a large crop. This, and a very cool summer and fall punctuated by a few very hot days, portended a late harvest. We thinned the crop aggressively, taking the Cabernet and Merlot down to 3.16 and 3.75 tons per acre respectively. The reduced burden on the vines was important, as we still needed to wait until November 1 to achieve peak flavor in some blocks.
Robust, rich mid palate with low acidity and a firm finish. Brilliant dark ruby in color with an aroma of brooding earth and dark fruit.
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