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2003 FOUNTAINHEAD MORISOLI BORGES CABERNET SAUVIGNON RELEASE
Dear Friends,
The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu famously said that “a
journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” That’s a
good point, but, for us folks at Fountainhead Cellars, it’s so last
year. Since our debut bottling of 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon,
we’ve taken more than a few steps forward. We’re pleased to
announce the second release from Fountainhead Cellars, our 2003 Napa
Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine, 100% Rutherford Bench Cabernet from
the Morisoli-Borges Vineyard, follows on the heels of our very
well-received debut from 2002. As with the first Fountainhead vintage, we
strived in 2003 to capture the essence of this historic Rutherford
property. We think our second effort only adds to the momentum.
After months of
meticulous work in the vineyard alongside grower Mike Morisoli, a pair of
September heat spikes caused our winemaker-partner Jason Fisher to observe
that “many people saw this as the mark to start harvest. But,” he noted,
“we at Fountainhead knew better. Our vineyards needed at least three more
weeks to fully mature. So we waited.” Mike showed equal determination,
adding, “I think the ’03 Fountainhead illustrates the growing trend of
grape-growers and winemakers sharing their combined vision of what the
land and vines can ultimately produce.”
With great patience,
Jason and Mike have crafted another stellar example of the Morisoli-Borges
vineyard. It’s a flat-out fantastic Cabernet Sauvignon. Densely
structured, with fine, integrated tannins, this beautifully dark wine
opens up slowly in the glass to reveal an intriguing nose of haunting,
woodsy-mushroom aromas and high-toned cherry seltzer and raspberry
liqueur. Showing strong hints of Rutherford dust on the nose and palate,
the wine tastes of rich black cherry, plum, and blackberry, brightened by
firm acidity. Like many young Napa Valley Cabernets, it’s quite enjoyable
at this early stage, but it’s also an eminently age-worthy wine that
should improve with several years in the bottle. The miniscule, 200-case
production includes a handful of magnums. A word to the wise amongst our
friends and customers: the 2004 production will be half of the ’03, so we
hope you will take advantage.
Thank you for your
past support, and for accompanying us on the journey.
Cheers!
Jason, Michelle, Sam &
Traci
MIKE MORISOLI'S 2003 HARVEST NOTES
I think the ’03 Fountainhead illustrates the
growing trend of grower and winemaker sharing their combined vision of
what the land and vines can ultimately produce. In addition to cluster
thinning and leaf pulling to enhance sun exposure, we irrigated through
the hot days of September and delayed the harvest to allow the vines to
continue ripening the fruit and develop intense flavors, rather than
beginning harvest with physiologically unripe, but raisoned fruit. It was
also exciting to see some of my young vineyard begin to produce fruit for
the Fountainheads. Although only a small percentage of the total blend,
the young fruit should add distinctive characteristics, including softer
tannins and fruit characters that will complement the old vines (more
structured tannins and “dusty” character) that make up the majority of the
wine. After three years of farming, that first harvest of a new vineyard
block is a pretty special payoff.
The fruit for the Fountainhead / Morisoli-Borges vineyard
designated wine is from two separate parcels on the west side of Highway
29, just south of Rutherford. One parcel of the vineyard is at a higher
elevation near the base of the Mayacama mountains/Mt. St. John and
consists of well-drained, gravelly soils. The other vineyard block for
this wine is at a lower elevation along the west side of Highway 29, just
south of the town of Rutherford. These vineyard blocks were purchased by
my family in the early 1970's and were at that time planted to a range of
varietals, including zinfandel, petite syrah, gamay, sauvignon blanc and a
small amount of cabernet. The vineyard has since been replanted entirely
to cabernet sauvignon. The different soils, vine ages (range from 5 to 15
years old +/-), trellising (vertical-bilateral cordon and quadrilateral
cordon), vine spacing, rootings (5BB, AXR1, SO4, 039-16) and clones (cab 7
and cab 4) from these vineyards increase the complexity and variations in
the fruit, which in turn improves the quality of the Fountainhead wine.
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