COMMENTS FROM THE WINEMAKER - Mike Smith
What a great sophomore vintage for 12C. 2008's growing season allowed us to produce a wine with great ripeness coupled with intense flavors and smooth textures. Immediately noticeable are the intense dark ruby hues and soaring aromas of dark red fruits, minerality and subtle barrel spice. When swirled in the glass, there is a sense of great viscosity coming from this brooding wine as it releases even more complex layers of dark and red fruits such as sugar plums, blackberries and pure cassis. What makes this wine so amazing is its ability to combine elegance and finesse along with power while remaining restrained and graceful. Like it's sibling in 2007, the finish showcases the above elements and combines them with perfectly framed Rutherford Dusty tannins that glide into a finish that leaves an impression on the palate for minutes. This wine will age effortlessly for 8 to 10 years but will drink well young with a short decant for those who cannot wait that long!!

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