<p>As ever, for a true and pure 100% single vineyard bottling, this Vintage 2005 exhibits all the classic Tietjen Vineyard characteristics: The wine is fragrant with Red berries, slightly spicy notes, hints of nutmeg and vanilla; flavors of Dark berries, herbs and spice, hints of vanilla carry through to the palate; and the mouthfeel is very nicely balanced - rich, yet has a nice thread of acidity to maintain balance and tension.</p><p>This vineyard, like each of ours, carries its own signature stamp &ndash; Elegance! We offer a very limited amount of this wine as a single vineyard designated cabernet sauvignon and in any given year 10 &ndash; 20 barrels will be produced. It aged in French oak barrels for 25 months, racked every 6 months.</p><p>Tietjen Vineyard:<br />In the 1980s our good friend and partner, Hugh Tietjen, acquired a small parcel in the Rutherford area of Napa Valley. This location was selected as an ideal site to grow cabernet sauvignon for Monticello Vineyards. Located not far from the base of the Mayacamas Mountains on the western side of Napa Valley, this 7-acre property was planted in the 1980s entirely to cabernet sauvignon. Two clones were selected, including the much-respected Clone #8 and a special selection of bud wood we refer to as the &lsquo;Cope&rsquo; Clones.</p><p>The majority of the wine from the Tietjen Vineyard is blended with wines from our other vineyards to create our CORLEY RESERVE Cabernet Sauvignon, the Monticello Vineyards Jefferson Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon, and the CORLEY Proprietary Red Wine.</p><p>Rutherford<br />Climate: Moderately warm, still marginally influenced by early morning fog. Western bench area is cooler, with less late afternoon sun, tempered by afternoon marine winds. Usual summer peak temperatures are mid-90&deg;F with good diurnal range.</p><p>Soils: Western benchland is sedimentary, gravelly-sandy and alluvial, with good water retention and moderate fertility.</p><p>Principal characteristics: This is &ldquo;Cabernet country.&rdquo; Quite intense cherry and mineral, almost earthy aromas, flavors are full, ripe, and notably currant with firm, but supple tannins for extended aging.</p><p>Cases Produced:<br />224 cases</p><p>Alcohol:<br />14.2%&nbsp;</p>

Community Tasting Notes (average 87.8 pts. and median of 89 pts. in 9 notes)

Rating for United States-California: 95 (slightly better than average year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: too young, let it sit<br/>