The Vintage
2002 was yet another outstanding year for Cabernet Sauvignon. A warm growing season provided amble time a fully ripen and mature the berries allowing for maximum expression of the characters of the fruit. Add to this the viticultural practices of strict irrigation management and reduced crop levels with the net result being superior fruit quality.
The Grapes
The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon was hand harvested at the end of October from our own Kestrel View Estate vineyard. Hand harvesting not only preserves the integrity of the fruit, it also allows for the selection of the very best clusters for our wines, assuring maximum quality. At harvest, the Brix was measured at 26 degrees, reflecting the maturity, ripeness,and potential of the fruit.
The Winemaking
Before being destemmed and crushed, the fruit is sorted by hand to remove any undesirable clusters. The berries were inoculated with yeast, starting the fermentation process. After 10 days on the skins, the must was transferred from the fermenters into the press where it underwent a gentle press cycle, yielding a deeply colored wine full of firm tannins. Upon completion of the primary fermentation, the wine was subjected to malolactic fermentation, a common practice in red winemaking. The wine was aged for 20 months in 30% new American and Eastern European oak.
The Wine
The 2002 Kestrel Cabernet Sauvignon is a powerful and structured wine with a rich ruby color and bursting with aromas of raspberries, dried plums, cherries and blackberries as well as hints of violets and roses. On the pallet you will find flavors of currants, blueberries, sweet Lambert cherries plus nuances of tobacco and leather. This wine's ripe lingering finish will leave you wanting more. Enjoy now or cellar for several years to come.
| PH: | 3.44 |
| TA: | 6.75 g/liter |
| ALC: | 13.5% |
| RS: | 0.1 g/liter |
| Blend: | 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc |
| Cases: | 1,566 |
| Release Date: | March 2005 |