Skill and experience were paramount to pull the most out of our vineyards in 2005. Late rains, fog and cool temperatures during the fall combined to make this very challenging vintage. Our Cabernet grapes finally ripened nicely, with final Brix in the high 25s and mid 26s, but it was a nail biter, with the mountain vineyards coming in on Halloween with rain just starting to fall. Color held well, and the lovely black fruit notes came out early and just needed to be preserved with gentle treatment and careful blending, backed up with judicious toasty oak.