Our Bismark Mountain Ranch 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.

This vintage featured a tiny crop. We averaged 1.76 tons per acre from our six 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.

The intense ruby/purple coloring brings with it aromas of sage, fresh olive, oak and black cherry. Round tannins, ripe and well extracted.

Varietal: 42% Cabernet Franc; 37% Merlot; 15% Petite Verdot; 5% Cabernet Sauvignon; 1% Malbec.
Harvest Dates: Sepbember 4, to October 8, 2004
Age of Vines: 5-12 years
Alcohol: 14.5%
pH: 3.67
TA: 0.67 g/100 mL
Residual Sugar: 0.018%
Bottling Date: September 4, 2007
Oak Types: 30% new French and 20% one-year American barrels from St. Martin, Saury, J. Garnier cooperages

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• 9280 Highway 128
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• Healdsburg, CA 95448
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• 800-854-3987

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