Aromas of dried cherries, plums, and black currant. Boysenberry, dark cherry, and hints of coffee are followed by approachable tannins, round, soft, and balanced by a juicy acidity. Estate vineyards in the Alexander Valley offer some of the redder, darker, and more dense tannins in the blend. With the composition of other mountain and valley vineyards, blended with Merlot helping to add riper and softer fruit expressions to provide wine length and balance. Blocks, varieties, and clones are kept separate until final blending to allow the greatest range of expression and blending options.