HARTWELL VINEYARDS
2005 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker Notes:
2005 was a miracle year in many ways. A late rainy spring, monstrous crop loads and a potentially late harvest brought some mid-season anxiety. A convergence of events--a warm, mild spring in 2004, a light crop load in 2004, and the record spring rainfall in 2005--meant a generous crop for the Napa Valley. It appeared that Hartwell Vineyards might have been three to four weeks behind in harvest from recent vintages, and if they received rain or cool weather in September or early October, it could have meant disaster. Instead, Mother Nature delivered a near-perfect fall, with moderate temperatures, lots of sunshine, and virtually no rain until the last day of October. Unlike the previous four vintages, which saw late-season temperature spikes, autumn 2005 was long and mild. The fruit matured just as the leaves yellowed, which in many ways is "textbook" for flavor and tannin development. The fruit developed beautifully, with dark color, soft tannins, and great varietal purity.