Aromas of lush, bright black cherry, blackberry and cassis draw you in. Round, rich, seamless tannins provide a robust backbone and supple mid-palate. Notes of cedar, vanilla and a hint of mocha linger on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are blended with Merlot for softness, Cabernet Franc for tannins, and Petit Verdot to enhance the mouthfeel, Malbec for roundness. Sonoma County mountain and hillside vineyards add black cherry flavors and superb wine structure. Mendocino County mountain vineyards impart blackberry and mocha flavors. Artisan winemaking techniques, such as cold soaking and extending maceration were used to enhance and simultaneously soften the tannins, deepen the color and intensify the flavors.