Hawley Wine 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Product Description

2003 Hawley Wine Cabernet Sauvignon label

HAWLEY
2003 Dry Creek Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon

Vineyard Sources

This wine was produced from three small vineyards located in the hills overlooking the Dry Creek Valley in northern Sonoma County: Hawley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Hawley Vineyard Merlot (10%), and Shubert Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (38%). Both Cabernet vineyards are planted on five-foot by eight-foot spacing, utilize verticle trellin systems, and excess fruit is removed to insure maximum flavor. Cabernet from Shubert Vineyard was harvested September 19 and the Hawley Cabernet was harvested on September 23, 2003. Sugar at harvest averaged 24.8 degrees Brix.

Winemaking

The three vineyards were vinified separately to bring out their best qualities, using traditional French Bordeaux winemaking techniques, including extended maceration on the skins for maximum flavor extraction. After fermentation, the two Caberent lots were blended and transferred to French chateau barrels for 18 months. The Merlot was barrel aged separately, then blended in prior to bottling. Extensive barrel aging has added vanilla, spice, and smoky oak flavors to the cherry and blackberry flavors from the grapes. Careful barrel to barrel rackings every three months eliminated the need for filtration. I believe my gentle handling and attention to detail are reflected in the quality of the finished wine. Only 475 cases were bottled on July 15, 2005.

Tasting Notes

This mountain grown Cabernet is deep in color with intense fruit flavors reminiscent of black cherries, currants, and blackberries. On the palate it is rich and opulent, bursting with flavors of blackberries backed by toasty vanillin oak notes and round, chewy tannins. Though enjoyable at present, this classic wine has the structure and intensity to improve with aging over the next 10 to 15 years.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile wine is an excellent accompaniment to any red meat, fowl, or pasta dish.

Analysis