Merlot is the textural component of the wine that brings lovely fruit, mid-palate, and balance. Cabernet is blend in to add tannin and lengthen the finish while Cabernet Franc lends backbone and structure. Sonoma County mountain and hillside vineyards add black cherry and blackberry flavors and superb structure. Mendocino County mountain vineyards impart red fruit, texture, and spice. Artisan winemaking techniques, such as cold soaking and extending maceration were used to enhance and simultaneously soften the tannins, deepen the color, and intensify the flavors.