The Art
Kenwood Vineyards’ eleventh Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon release features "Red Letter to Joe," by Steve Jensen.
Born in Seattle, Washington in 1995, the artist is a graduate of the University of Washington and the Cornish School of Fine Art. He is recognized as a sculptor as well as a painter, whose works are included in the Seattle Art Museum and in numerous galleries throughout America. Steve Jensen’s contemporary work entitled “Red Letter to Joe” is a fine example of his fluid, dynamic style combining airbrush and watercolor.

The Wine
The grapes selected for the 1985 Artist Series are from a classic Sonoma Valley vintage. Even better than the flawless 1984 vintage, 1985 was marked by a moderately warm growing season and optimum levels of grape maturity and composition.
The grapes are a blend of the finest small lots of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from three separate vineyards: Berger Vineyard of Sonoma Mountain, Lindholm Vineyard of Mayacamas Mountain and Jack London Vineyard of Glen Ellen. Small amounts from Jansen and Jack London Ranch were also included. Each vineyard lot was kept separate during the fermentation in stainless steel and aging for two years in Nevers Oak barrels.
The finished wine exhibits a beautiful, deep brick-red color, and the wonderful berry-like nose and rich flavors which are so characteristic of Sonoma Valley Cabernets. A small amount of Cabernet Franc adds softness and complexity to the wine.

Composition: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc
Aging: 24 months in new Nevers Oak
Alcohol: 13.0%