KENWOOD, Calif., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Kenwood Vineyards announces the release of the 2005 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon. The 31st vintage in America's premier marriage of art and wine, the 2005 Kenwood Artist Series showcases the genius of artist Paul Klee and winemaker Pat Henderson in the inimitable style that has made the Artist Series so coveted.

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Kenwood Vineyards initiated the Artist Series in 1975 with a simple idea: handcraft the best possible Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon and bottle each vintage with a unique label showcasing a work of fine art. The 1975 Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon featured a work created expressly for the label by famed poster artist David Lance Goines, and in subsequent years the Artist Series has presented works by such famous artists as Joan Miro, Alexander Calder, Pablo Picasso, Sam Francis, Vincent van Gogh and Wayne Thiebaud.

In the exceptionally fine 2005 vintage, winemaker Pat Henderson selected the top lots of Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon from Kenwood's extensive vineyard resources. These outstanding vineyard lots were fermented separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. After two rounds of settling and racking to achieve clarity, the young wine was moved primarily into small French oak barrels to age for 29 months. The final Artist Series blend was assembled from the best of these barrels, with small percentages of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec included for additional nuance and elegance. Following bottling, the 2005 Artist Series was cellared at the winery for 18 months prior to release.

Saturated in color, the 2005 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits intense aromas of black currant, licorice and sandalwood, plus a background note of mint. Concentrated flavors of black currant, blackberry, dark chocolate and cedar blossom with aeration, show different facets over time. The powerful flavors are matched by a dense palate that stays smooth through the lingering finish. While already approachable, the 2005 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon's combination of balancing acidity and integrated "soft" tannins suggest continued development with cellaring.

The 2005 Kenwood Vineyards Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon label features "Highway and Byways," a groundbreaking 1929 painting by artist Paul Klee (1879-1940). Swiss-born, but based in Germany for much of his life, Klee was a major contributor to 20th century art not only through his paintings, but also through his theories, teachings and writings. He taught at the Bauhaus, the German school created to unite the arts and industry, from 1921 until 1931. After the Bauhaus was closed by the Nazis in 1933, he returned to Switzerland, where he continued to paint until his death at age 60. Klee was a natural draftsman with an extraordinary mastery of color, tonality and light, and this work - an interpretation of landscape divided by vertical and horizontal networks - illustrates his ability to experiment with and invent new ways of expression. To complement the label, the capsule on the 2005 Kenwood Artist Series bears a drawn adaptation of "Highway and Byways" and - on top, covering the cork - a modified version of the Bauhaus curriculum diagram.

Each vintage of the Artist Series has become a coveted collectible and the 2005 Kenwood Vineyards Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon ranks among the rarest of the entire series, as only 1,699 cases were produced. It is available in selected markets nationally at a suggested retail of $69.

The Artist Series is one of four Kenwood Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignons. The winery also produces Jack London Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from grapes grown on the famous author's Beauty Ranch overlooking the Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon from prime local vineyards and Yulupa Cabernet Sauvignon, which is available exclusively at restaurants.

Established in 1970 in the Sonoma Valley, Kenwood Vineyards produces premium wines that express the exceptional quality and character of Sonoma County vineyards.

www.kenwoodvineyards.com

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SOURCE Kenwood Vineyards