The release of the 2004 vintage marks our 6th Cabernet under the
ÆROS label in our 20-year history.
While most of the fruit is from prestigious Howell Mountain,
this vintage also marks the debut of a small amount of Petit Verdot
and Cabernet Franc from our Yountville Estate vineyard, which we
re-planted a few years ago. Our steep Howell Mountain site produces
extremely small grapes of tremendous flavor concentration and "…the
young Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc vines bring some brightness
and elegance to all of that intensity," remarks Geoff Gorsuch, our
Winemaker.
To maximize the richness of flavor, Geoff allowed the skins and
seeds some time to "cold soak" before guiding the wine through a
warm, but not hot, fermentation. He followed up with an early
pressing for polished tannins and a graceful finish. Geoff aged the
ÆROS in his favorite Bordeaux-made San Martin and Quintessence
barrels to ensure its signature complexity and finesse.
This 2004 ÆROS Cabernet from Goosecross has earned its wings:
It's bold, yet elegant. Our Winemaker, Geoff Gorsuch, has called it
"One of our best. It has all the richness, complexity and
concentration of the beautiful mountain fruit, yet it's supple,
with grace and finesse."
Seductively perfumed, it's fragrant with aromas of black cherry,
plum, cedar and spice. Gorgeous layers of boysenberry, tobacco,
anise and toasty oak entice, and then linger on the palate.
Hedonistic, and much too alluring to pass up now, it will develop
even greater complexity in the cellar over the years to come.
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