Raphael 2002 La Fontana

Tasting Notes:
The La Fontana is blended from wines that were not selected for inclusion in our First Label Merlot. All grapes hand harvested, sorted and fermented in closed top vessels with daily pump-overs. The 2002 vintage is dense and jammy yet supple, with traces of dark fruit and toasty oak. Petit Verdot makes its first appearance in this blend complimenting the earthy plum and black current aromatics of the Merlot with hints of violets and pepper. Cabernet Franc adds minty aromatics to round out the chewy tannic structure and dense mouth feel. A delicious red wine made in the tradition of Pomerol and our first red released from the extraordinary 2002 vintage.

Vintage Notes:
The 2002 vintage was among the warmest ever recorded on Long Island. The weather started off warm in the spring and continued through the fall. Sandy loam soil predominates the area of this young merlot planting. Average age of the vines was 3-4 years old. The latest in a series of three outstanding Long Island vintages in a row.

Technical Notes:

Appellation:	North Fork, Long Island
Varietal:	85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc 5% Petit Verdot
Winemaker:	Richard Olsen-Harbich
Enologist:	Paul Pontallier
Aged:	French oak and Stainless Steel
Harvest:	100% Hand Harvested from 10/26 through 11/5 2002
Brix:	22.0
pH:	3.75
TA:	5.5 g/L