Kunde Estate Winery - 2002 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Enthusiast - 91 Points Sante Recommended "This wine is crafted exclusively from our hillside vineyards, located 700 - 1,400 feet above the Sonoma Valley floor. The terroir of this site is expressed in the wine as big, soft tannins, rich, plummy fruit, and a touch of dusty minerality. We use the Reserve designation to set this wine apart as the best example of what this property can produce, and this hillside vineyard consistently gives us the highest quality fruit of any on the estate. The wine is very approachable now, but has tannin structure and balanced acidity to continue to improve for at least 5 years. Pairing this wine with a wide range of red meats, stews, and concentrated sauces will heighten the enjoyment of this quintessential embodiment of the Kunde Estate vineyards." Harvest/Winemaking: Crafted from a blend of 93% mountain grown Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Petit Verdot. Harvest began on September 20 and carried all the way through to October 1 with an average Brix of 26.4°. After crushing, the must was cold soaked for several days to allow the greatest extraction of color from the skins into the juice. Barrel aged for 25 months in small French oak barrels, 65% new. The 7% addition of Petit Verdot contributes depth of color and a racy, wild berry note. Food Pairing: Grilled Chateaubriand, hearty beef stew, or decadent chocolate cake.