Vintage
With some of the lowest yields in recent memory, 2005 will go down as one of our most successful and demanding vintages. Poor weather throughout California in the spring resulted in poor fruit set and consequently lower yields. The small crop and perfect weather during the prime ripening zone allowed us to harvest perfectly ripe fruit packed with flavor and structure.

Vineyards
Set above the Lexington Reservoir, Jon Anderson’s Camel Hill Vineyard is a series of hillside plots featuring a complex assortment of clones and exposures. While the climate is decidedly cool and mountainous, it has proven to be an inspiring source of Cabernets Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
and Merlot. Harvest usually commences in late September and continues through the month of October. This long growing season allows for maximum flavor development at lower sugars and higher acidity than most of California.

Winemaking
We began picking Merlot in late September and finished with Cabernet Sauvignon in mid-October. This blend was assembled by selecting individual barrels from multiple lots, each representing a different clone or section of the vineyard. This attention to detail and hand selection ensures supreme quality. We made the assemblage at the first racking during the late winter/early spring of ’06. We favor early blending as a tool for harmonizing flavor and texture. Elevage was 22 months in 50% new French Oak with 3-4 rackings per year.

Tasting Notes
Our Lexington Meritage just keeps getting better! The 2005 version is a layered and complex wine that is painstakingly blended to create a world class drink! it is aromatically intense with notes of black fruit, spice and toasty oak. The palate has loads of richness from the mountain fruit and careful upbringing. For consump- tion today we highly recommend you de- cant this wine for an hour or so to allow this youngster some time to open up. With air pronounced notes of cassis, plum and loam begin to emerge, really hinting at the complexity to come with some bottle age. Drink now and over the next 10-15 years

TECHNICAL DATA:

Appellation
Santa Cruz Mountains

WINEMAKER
Michael Martella

VINEYARDS
99% Camel Hill Vineyard

COMPOSITION: 49% Cab. Sauvignon, 30% Merlot,
21% Cabernet Franc
Finished alcohol: 14.6% ABV
Acid/pH: .65/3.70
Oak treatment: 50% New French Oak
22 Months
Total production: 447 cases
Release date: November 15, 2009
California suggested retail: $45.00

Buy this wine