artesa elements cabernet sauvignon 2007
NAPA COUNTY 71% | SONOMA COUNTY 29%
$25.95 (available by the 12-bottle case)

Vintage:
A dry winter and warm, dry spring brought an early start to the 2007 growing season in Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Vines were less vigorous, setting a relatively small crop with clusters spread out to receive more sunlight on each berry. Benign weather throughout the summer and into harvest brought the red grapes for this wine to full maturity, and relatively cool nights resulted in exceptional color and flavor concentration. Because of this intensity and power the 2007 vintage is a good candidate for aging as it gradually opens up to express its full beauty.

Vineyards:
The grapes for this wine were sourced primarily from mountain site vineyards in Napa and Sonoma where generally cooler temperatures prevail. Because of this cool climate, grapes tend to ripen slowly over a prolonged growing season, with intense flavors, natural acidity and fine tannin structure evident prior to picking. Vineyards in these areas require intensive viticulture, including canopy management for proper sun exposure, careful leaf removal and irrigation management to ensure vines achieve even and complete berry ripening.

Winemaking:
Hand picked at night and in the early morning hours to ensure they remained cool and intact, the grape clusters were brought to the winery where they were de-stemmed and crushed. Following fermentation in stainless steel the wines – in separate lots – were placed in small French oak barrels (25% new) for aging. The wines stayed in barrel for two years with twice yearly racking prior to blending and bottling.

Tasting Notes:
A blend of mostly Bordeaux varietals with a touch of Syrah, this smooth, silky wine coats the palate with intense fruit flavors – dark cherry, cassisenriched with milk chocolate and toffee. Sweet oak chimes in to create a beautiful harmony, and fine tannins lengthen the supple texture of this well-balanced, full bodied wine.

For more information visit www.artesawinery.com