About Fogarty
Few wine regions on earth can match Santa Cruz Mountains’ climates, soils and vertigo-inspiring views. Set high in the mountains overlooking California’s Silicon Valley, the Thomas Fogarty winery has been making single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet from the SCM appellation since 1981. Fogarty’s two estates are divided into micro-vineyards, ranging from .25 to 5.25 acres, based on soil and topography. All are maritime (12-18 miles to Pacific), cool-climate (Regions I and II), high-elevation (1600-2300 feet), low yielding (1-3 tons per acre) and mountainous. The winery was founded by Dr. Thomas Fogarty, a Stanford cardiovascular surgeon and world-renowned inventor.

Vintage
The 2003 vintage provided us with fantastic raw materials, especially for Bordeaux varieties. Our Vallerga Cabernet reached flavor and phenolic development at much lower sugars than in past vintages. Accordingly, the resulting wine is lower in alcohol than its predecessors.

Vineyards
We have been fortunate to purchase fruit from the Vallerga family for nearly fifteen years. Located at the base of Mt. Veeder in the Yountville AVA, the vineyard stretches from the alluvial benchlands up to the foothills. The sparse gravelly soils and moderate climate produce wines marked by dark fruit flavors, cassis and intense minerality.

Winemaking
We hand harvest in the early morning to ensure cool grapes. The fruit was immediately de-stemmed and placed in open top bins for cold-soak and fermentation. The wine was aged in a combination of new American (12%) and used French barrels for 22 months to allow for tannin and pigment development.

Tasting Notes
Our 2003 Vallerga is packed with cassis, loam and dark berry fruit. Two years of bottle age have softened the wine’s youthful tannins and fleshed out the mid-palate and finish. While this Cabernet is powerful and plush, it also is blessed with a firm structure, fine tannins and great balance.

TECHNICAL DATA:

Appellation
Vallerga Vineyard, Napa Valley

WINEMAKER
Michael Martella

VINEYARDS
100% Vallegra Vineyard

COMPOSITION: 100 % Cabernet Sauvignon

Finished alcohol: 13.9% ABV
Acid: TA 0.73g/ 100ml  VA 0.075g/ 100ml
pH: 3.51
Oak treatment: French and American
22 Months, 12% New Oak
Total production: 842 cases
Release date: October 15, 2007
California suggested retail: $50.00