2005 Bismark Mountain Cabernet Franc

Rich with soft tannins and bright acidity. Intense ruby/purple in color with an aroma of sage, kalamata olive, vanilla and bosc pear.

$45.00 per bottle

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The Vineyard
Our Bismark Mountain Vineyard is high above the City of Sonoma and San Pablo Bay. Here on the Southwestern flank of the Mayacamas Mountains we grow six acres of clone 1 Cabernet Franc planted in 1993 amid outcroppings of Rhyolite. The vines are planted on 9 by 4 and 12 by 6 spacing and are vertically trained. 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
The vintage was a challenging one. Abundant spring rains resulted in luxuriant growth requiring extra passes for canopy management. Windy weather during bloom moderated fruit set at Bismark. A moderate summer punctuated by a few hot days resulted in a much later harvest than 2004.

Tasting Notes
Rich with soft tannins and bright acidity. Intense ruby/purple in color with an aroma of sage, kalamata olive, vanilla and bosc pear.

Varietal: 82% Cabernet Franc, 17.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 0.5% Merlot Harvest Dates: October 5 to 12, 2005 Alcohol: 14.8% pH: 3.69 TA: 0.62 g/100 mL Residual Sugar: 0.13% Bottling Date: July 11, 2008