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	The 1996 vintage was characterized by a challenging growing season until September, when ideal weather finally arrived and created the conditions necessary for fruit to reach desired maturity levels. Still, variability within each vineyard required a rigorous selection process at harvest to cull unwanted fruit, and tonnage was down by about 20%. Fortunately, our efforts in the vineyard and at the winery paid off and the 1996 Backus Cabernet exhibits surprising depth of color with concentrated, black cherry/cassis and mineral-like aromas that blossom in the glass after brief aeration. This is a rich, dense wine with flavors of black, chewy fruits and ripe, dusty tannins that are the hallmarks of the vineyard. Unfortunately the wine is in extremely limited supply.
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