Nose
The nose is of penetrating sweet fruit, high tone florals, and rose petals followed by a hint of pencil shavings.
Palate
The wine has a long, dense, persistent finish and sweet, delicious tannin.
Growing Conditions
2001 Was about as close to a perfect vintage in the Walla Walla Valley as we could hope for. The year was absolutely beautiful with the exception of poor weather at bloom that caused us to set a smaller than normal crop. Nearly all summer long the weather was perfectly warm and sunny, without the usual heat spikes into triple digits that we normally experience in July and August.
Harvest
Harvest began early and ran about 5-7 days ahead of normal. The small crop contributed to great density and concentrated fruit.
Winemaking
The wines contributing to this blend averaged only 2.06 tons per acre and it shows in the wine's incredible density.
Aging
Aged in new French and American oak barrels for 22 months.