Sullivan Vineyards 2003 Coeur de Vigne

Winemaking Notes:
The 2003 vintage in Rutherford was relatively cool and spring was rainy. Two short but strong heat waves in September were followed by a gentle Indian summer that allowed the grapes to finish their maturation. This resulted in fresh and tannic wines that are close in style to classical Bordeaux wines. This bottling is a blend of 54.74% of for Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 0.27% Cabernet Franc and 0.01% Petit Verdot. Every barrel was hand selected to produce a complex, refined and elegant wine. Of the four cabernet lots, one was racked once but the other three were not. The merlot wasn’t racked either. This is the same merlot that went into our reserve program. Most of the wine was thus aged on its lees. As lees break down in the wine they coat the harder tannins of the grapes and the oak allowing you to enjoy the wine young too.

Tasting Notes:
Color: Deep ruby with garnet tones

Nose: Initially the nose is shy with notes of spices (clove & nutmeg) with some black berry and Asian plum. With prolonged aeration notes of strawberry, raspberry, honey and spearmint develop.

Mouth: The entry is soft and silky with flavors of blueberry, coffee and dark chocolate. The finish is very long with intense and fine grained tannins. The wine leaves an impression of softness, subtlety and refinement.

Technical Notes:

Appellation:	Rutherford, Napa Valley
Blend:	55.72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 0.27% Cabernet Franc, 0.01% Petit Verdot
Details at Harvest:	Acidity: 0.63g/mL, pH: 3.73
Aging:	21 months
Oak:	100 % French oak, 66% new oak, 44% percent 1-Vintage oak
Alcohol:	13.7%
Bottled:	August 9, 2005