This rich and pleasant wine opens with aromatics of vanilla, cherry and raspberry, along with bright, lively red fruit, leather and saddle notes. Concentrated strawberry cream on the palate leads to a soft, smooth and supple toffee-almond finish. Blend 88% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot –David "Merf" Merfeld, Winemaker
The 2004 growing season got off to a warm start followed by a cooler period during bloom. The hot, dry summer months created uniform berry maturation with intense flavors, good sugar development and high natural acidity. Warm temperatures during the last days of summer produced excellent ripening conditions. Cooler temperaturs and intermittent light rain in mid-September slowed ripening and extended hang time. 2004 followed a freeze year resulting in a lighter crop throughout the region.