2005 Bench Blend Cabernet Sauvignon
Titratable Acidity: 0.57 g/100ml
pH: 3.68
Residual Sugar: 0.08 g/100ml
Alcohol Level: 14.9%
Barrel Regime: Aged in French and American oak barrels
Bottling Date: January 2008
Release Date: February 2009
Case Production: 1,100 cases
Wine Tasting Notes
Our 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon shows intense black and blue fruit aromas and flavors with layers of licorice and spice. The intense fruit and elegant tannins evolve into a long, impressive finish. This wine has the fruit intensity and structure to improve through years of aging, although its ripeness and approachability make it rewarding to enjoy now.
Viticulture Notes
The winter months throughout early 2005 saw a lot of rain but the weather was fairly dry throughout the month March. Precipitation began again in April and continued into June. Due to the slightly cooler spring weather, bud break came a bit later than previous years. The cooler weather throughout the summer months permitted longer hang time which allowed for the development of intricate aromas and flavors. Autumn eventually brought sunshine and heat which ripened the grapes quickly, allowing harvest to finally begin in mid-September. Though it was a later harvest in 2005, the vines produced ripe, flavorful clusters of exceptional quality.
Winemaking Notes
Our Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were destemmed, crushed, and cold soaked for 3-5 days to allow for maximum extraction of color and flavor prior to fermentation. The must was then inoculated with the BDX yeast strain and was fermented at temperatures not exceeding 90°F. Following primary fermentation, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in tank. The wine was then aged in French and American oak barrels prior to release.
