2007 Collins Holystone Vineyard, St. Helena AVA Cabernet Sauvignon

TASTING NOTES
"A rich, opulent wine which opens with a bright concentration of black fruits, dark cherries and plums. Subtle hints of toasted oak and cinnamon toast accompany the  progression from black fruits to blackberries at mid-palate, with the perfect grip of firm tannins. The wine ends with a full and lingering finish."- Mike McGrath, Winemaker

BLEND: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

THE VINEYARD
Bill and Kathleen Collins, founders of Conn Creek Winery, farm this vineyard on the valley floor north of the town of St. Helena. The vineyard is located on an old riverbed with a mix of well-drained sedimentary and gravel-clay soils strewn with large boulders. The site enjoys a very warm climate with little fog and wind, and summertime temperatures often exceed 90º F. These conditions ensure that Collins is the first Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard we harvest each year.

A dry winter led to an early bud-break, and a warm rain-free spring. Warm temperatures in mid-August hastened ripening temporarily. An unusually cool September and early October slowed maturation, allowing the Bordeaux varietals to ripen steadily and slowly. As a result, the 2007 vintage wines show balanced ripeness, natural acidity and mature, developed tannins.