HAWLEY WINERY
2002
Cabernet Sauvignon
Dry Creek Valley

    Technical
  • Appellation: Dry Creek Valley
  • Varietal Composition: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon   6% Merlot
  • Harvest Dates: Sept. 16, 2002
  • Alcohol: 13.9%      Ph: 3.63    TA: .57
  • Bottling Date: July 14, 2004
  • Cases Bottled: 504
  • Release Date: Aug 1, 2007

Vineyards
This wine is made from fruit grown on both sides of Dry Creek Valley. Hawley Vineyard (39%) on Bradford Mountain is always high in acidity and tannin structure due to the hot afternoon sun disappearing behind the mountain. Shubert Vineyard (61%) gets baked by the late afternoon sun which tends to soften the tannins and lower the acidity. The blend of the two results in a balanced wine. Both vineyards utilize vertical trellis systems and crop thin to insure quality and flavor development. Brix at harvest 26

Winemaking
The grapes were crushed and cold soaked for seven days to maximize skin extraction. Wild yeasts started the fermentation and a small inoculum of commercial yeast was added to insure the wine fermented to dryness. After fermentation the two Cabernet lots were blended and transferred to French chateau barrels for 18 months. The merlot was blended prior to bottling. Extensive oak aging has added vanilla, spice and smoky flavors. Barrel to barrel racking every three months has clarified the wine and softened the tannins.

Tasting Notes

2002 was a vintage of incredibly concentrated fruit. We held back this vintage because we did not feel it was ready. This exceptional wine is starting to open up and announce incredible fruit along with other complexities that seem to evolve with every sip.
This mountain grown Cabernet is deep in color with intense fruit flavors reminiscent of black cherries, currants, and black berries. On the palate it is rich and opulent, bursting with fruit, backed by toasty vanilla oak notes and round, chewy tannins. Though enjoyable now, this wine has the structure and intensity to improve with aging over the next 10 to 15 years.

Hawley Wine
PO Box 1831, Healdsburg CA. 95448
6387 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg CA. 95448
Phone/Fax 707-431-2705
www.hawleywine.com