2003 No Nonsense Red® Meritage
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Grape Variety: 63% Cabernet Sauvignon 23% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc

Appellation: Paso Robles

Analysis: Alcohol: 14.5% pH: 3.50 TA: .70 g/100ml RS: .15%

Harvest Dates: 9/26/03 to 10/29/03 Five Vineyards Harvested

Barrel Ageing: 20 months 20 months in 1 to 2 year old French and American oak

Cases Produced: 979 Retail Price: $20

Tasting Notes
This delightful wine has all the classic varietal characteristics of a Meritage blend: bright, floral aromas of cherry and berry an herbal component of tobacco leaf and black olive, and a resinous note of cedar. Medium-bodied, it is nicely balanced with supple tannins, firm acidity and a pleasant malty flavor that lingers on the palate. Perfect with roast pork or rib-eye steak, it is enjoyable now and will age well through 2012. Vintage 2003 2003 gave us a difficult growing season, but quality seems to be quite good as a result of judicious vineyard practices throughout the year. A late start in the vineyard because of cool spring temperatures gave way to a warm summer that was marked by several small rain events and a number of heat spikes. The fall weather was very nice, maintaining warm weather that fully ripened everything by the end of October, before the first rains. Overall, the vintage produced wines with loads of fruit and above average ripeness and alcohol level. Winemaking The vast majority of this blend is from the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc vineyards, augmented with small lots of Bordeaux varietals from growers that are personal friends of the Norman family. Each lot was harvested at optimum ripeness, fermented to maximize extraction, and barrel-aged separately. The final blend was put together immediately before bottling, with emphasis on fruit forwardness and balance.