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Our ‘Salus’ Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the softer side of our estate vineyard, and is produced mainly from fruit from our newest plantings. These new selections produce grapes with soft tannins, ample depth and body. The grapes have fully ripened and display the distinguished quality of “Rutherford dust.” The 2002 vintage shows aromas of blueberries, blackberries and rose petals. The palate explodes with deep-stone fruit characters of plum and black cherry. The balanced finish lingers with flavors of chocolate and vanilla, and a nice accent of toasty oak. Tannins are mouth-filling, yet smooth and supple. As this Cabernet Sauvignon matures, the vivacity of its youth will continue to open and become more expressive in the bottle. This wine will age beautifully for 15+ years. Enjoy!

Ripe fruit aromas of black cherry and tobacco leaf dominate the nose with notes of tomato and clove in the background. As the wine opens up, there are hints of Rutherford dust and toasty, smoky oak. Upon tasting this gem, fruit flavors of black cherry and raspberry rush over the palate. There is an abundance of soft and silky tannins with a natural acidity carrying the mid-palate. Lush fruit lingers and the finish is smooth and silky. This wine was bottled without fining or filtration to preserve the richness and nuance we tasted in barrel. It should continue to open and gain complexity in the bottle for years to come.

The 2002 vintage is one of prolonged ripeness and winemaker patience. This 2002 STAGLIN FAMILY VINEYARD cabernet is such a wine. The vintage was earmarked by moderate weather finishing with an exceptional September and October of warm-hot days and cool nights. The grapes were able to develop rich-ripe flavors while maintaining a natural acidity. There is a deep black color with ripe aromas of blueberry, plum, and the distinctive Rutherford dust nose. The flavors are mushroom, blueberry and distinctive caramel from the 100% new French oak barrels. The finish lingers with hints of shaved chocolate, ripe plum and tobacco. The tannins are supple and silky with a lingering flavor of black tea. This is a wonderfully balanced wine from the front palate to the finish. The wine is youthful, friendly now and will continue to develop beautifully for 10-15 years.

This 2004 Estate Chardonnay displays the distinctive qualities of our Rutherford vineyard: rich, fully ripe fruit aromas with elegance and balance. This year’s growing season saw an early warming trend in March and April, accelerating the ripening process. During our late-September harvest, the grapes were picked in the cool early morning to maintain their freshness, natural acidity, and delicacy. The grapes were hand sorted, then gently lowered into the press by hand and whole cluster pressed. Long, cool fermentation in French oak barrels enabled us to fully bring out the fruit’s character. On the nose, aromas of ripe pear, honeysuckle and ripe banana dominate, marrying well with a creamy, toasty oak character. The palate explodes with flint flavors from our French clones, baked apple, lime and citrus, followed by nutmeg and vanilla from the oak. Six distinct clones add depth and complexity to the finish, and aging sur-lie and stirring of the yeast produce richness and balance. The fruit character is preserved by inhibiting malo-lactic fermentation, maintaining the natural acid balance. This wonderfully crafted Chardonnay could be enjoyed now or aged for an additional 3-5 years. Bon Appetit!

This 2004 ‘Salus’ Chardonnay has a beautiful golden color full of tropical aromas of ripe pineapple, banana and mango. There is a hint of butterscotch from the toasted oak. On the palate, the ripe fruit fills the mouth with flavors of baked apple, peach, and nutmeg. The finish is bright and long with lingering flavors of vanilla. A truly balanced wine."