Croze 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Port

Vineyard Notes:
The 2004 Croze Port grapes are from Tenbrink Vineyard in Suisun Valley, just across the Eastern Hills from Napa Valley. Here, the daylight hours are just a bit warmer, without the cooling marine influence of the San Francisco Bay. The 2004 season in the Suisun Valley brought these grapes to a ripe perfection—perfect for making a varietal Port. Steve Tenbrink grew these luscious grapes especially for that purpose.

Winemaking Notes:
The grapes were allowed to hang well past the normal picking date, which increased the complexity and density of the fruit flavors. The grapes were crushed and left on the skins for one week before inoculation with alcohol-tolerant yeast. After a long, cool fermentation, Winemaker, Gary Wooton, added Cognac to stop the fermentation at 6% residual sugar. The Cognac, from Epernay, was aged 3 years in Oak barrels. This added complexity to the Port.

Winemaker Tasting Notes:
In this Port, the winemaker chose to preserve the fruit’s true varietal character, and present it fresh on the palate. Rich, dense blackberry flavor and aroma fills the mouth and nose and lingers until tomorrow on the tongue.

Enjoy Croze Port as an aperitif, with a dinner of duck with cherry reduction sauce or after dinner, with dark chocolate, nuts and rich cheeses. The finishing touch is a fine cigar.

Technical Notes:

Blend:	100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation:	Suisun Valley
Alcohol:	18%
Residual Sugar:	6%
pH:	3.6
Barrels:	14 months in French Oak
Production:	92 cases
Bottle size:	375 ml