92 POINTS - “Typical of the hot vintage, this reserve red is made in a big, broad-shouldered style but finds a welcome balance. It fills the mouth with ripe plum, blueberry and peppery spice aromas and flavors, lingering impressively on the generous finish.” - Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, Feb 22, 2006

TASTING NOTES - Tony Rynders, Winemaker
The enticing nose displays a complex array of cherry pie, raspberry cordial, marionberry, dried orange peel, caramel, vanilla and allspice. The palate delivers intense black raspberry, elderberry, pomegranate, rose petal, sassafras, oak spice and fine-grained tannins. The result is a wine possessing incredible power, length and complexity.

VINEYARD
Blend of Pommard (47%), Wadenswil (17%) and Dijon (36%) clones of Pinot Noir sourced primarily from estate vineyards in the Dundee Hills (83%) and Eola Hills (17%).

CROP YIELD - 1.95 tons/acre.

AGING - Aged 16 months in French oak barrels of which 74% were new. Unfined and unfiltered.

VINTAGE NOTES
Warm weather in late spring provided virtually ideal conditions for uniform flowering. Bloom concluded in 2 weeks and set was very good. Continued warm and dry conditions throughout the summer encouraged excellent flavor development in the grapes. Record heat accumulation led to an early harvest with unprecedented sugar levels. The resulting wine possesses the intensity and ripe flavor profile of the vintage.