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
With some of the lowest yields in recent memory, 2005 will go down as one of our most successful and demanding vintages. Inclement spring weather throughout California resulted in poor fruit set and lower yields. The reduced crop and ideal conditions at the end of the season allowed us to harvest clean, ripe, intensely flavored fruit.

Vineyards
A blank canvas can be a frightening thing. When there are no parameters it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the possibilities. The same holds true for winemaking. For the most part our wines are self directed. A single-vineyard Pinot Noir is confined to one variety and one vineyard. But Skyline Red is different. It’s whatever we want it to be. Our 2005 is a Bordeaux blend featuring Merlot from Clements Hills and the Santa Cruz Mountains, Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, Cabernet Franc from Bennett Valley and Clements Hills, plus a dash of Petite Verdot from Clements Hills.

Winemaking
The 2005 features more Merlot and Cabernet Franc than the 2004 version. The reason, as usual, was weather related. The warm 2004 vintage favored the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, while the cool 2005 vintage favored the earlier ripening Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The wine was aged for 16 months in American and French oak barrels and bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Tasting Notes
The 2005 Skyline delivers classic Bordeaux aromatics of cigar box, plum, blackberry, cedar and sweet herbs. It is medium bodied with rich flavors and lush tannins. The finish is long and juicy. While meant for current consumption it will continue to develop over the next few years.

TECHNICAL DATA:

Appellation
California

WINEMAKER
Michael Martella

VINEYARDS
45% Clements Hills, 30% Napa
18%Bennett Valley, 7% Santa Cruz Mountains

COMPOSITION: 39% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon
27% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petite Verdot
Finished alcohol: 15% ABV
Acid/pH: .65/3.63
Oak treatment: French and American Oak
16 Months
Total production: 3549 cases
Release date: October 15, 2007
California suggested retail:
$20.00