2004 HāLo

Our flagship wine, HāLo is named for our children, Hailey and Loren, who grew up in the middle of our Hillspring Vineyard in the Mayacamas foothills of western Napa Valley, the source of this extraordinary red wine. The vineyard’s rocky, shallow soils, coupled with a climate protected from fog and wind, make Hillspring the perfect spot to grow exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Vintage
An unusually warm, dry spring led to early budbreak and set the stage for an early harvest. Summer temperatures were seasonably warm, with early September bringing a memorable heat spell. The early-season heat-stress resulted in smaller grape clusters and berries with intense, concentrated aromas and flavors. The ‘04 HāLo, delightful right now, will cellar quite comfortably for at least 10 years.

The Wine
Perhaps the truest expression of our terroir, in this wine you can literally taste the magical place where our children Hailey and Loren grew up. Aromas of blackberries and bay leaves, like those that grow along the spring-fed creek that flows through our Hillspring property, flow too through HaLo. The oak forests that surround the vineyards on the hillsides perfume the ground with their litter, and that enchanting aroma is echoed in HaLo as well. Finally, subtle notes of tobacco, smoke, and earth dance in the background, deriving from the soil itself. This particular vintage is exceptionally balanced and complex with additional flavors of dried black cherries, raspberries, leather, cloves, toasted marzipan, and a long, spicy finish of black pepper, nutmeg, and thyme. Decant to enjoy HāLo to its fullest. Salud!

Food Affinities
HāLo should be reserved for the finest cuts of full-flavored beef, lamb, and game.