Winemaker Michael Trujillo calls the 2003 vintage “the year of finesse, as wines from this vintage as a whole are not as muscular as the 2002. This was a more traditional growing season than the cooler 2002, giving a wine with more complexity even though it was a warmer vintage.

“This wine shows great depth and rich, juicy, fruit flavours of black currant and mountain fruits,” notes Michael. “The HL Vineyards 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon is fruity and juicy, much like a mini 1997. The use of French oak barrels from both Nadalie and Tarransaud cooperages gives the wine a depth and intensity but with sweet oak flavours. The denseness and concentration of black fruit flavours when the wine is young will become velvety and like sweet summer black currants/blackberries when the wine matures.”

Country: USA 

Region: California, Napa Valley 

ABV: 14.4% 

Vintage: 2003