Drxeno's Wine Log ----------------------------------------- WineLog ID: 43094 Name: Pride Mountain Vineyards Sonoma County Lower Mountain Top Vineyard Vintner Select Estate Merlot Winery: Pride Mountain Vineyards Region: Sonoma County, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Merlot Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $95 Wine Spectator: 91 Wine Enthusiast: 82 Wine Advocate: 94 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2009 Drink By: 2017 Tags: dry gOenophiles gOenoCaM-M2008 Estate SingleVineard BobFoley Date Logged: 09/08/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted blind at Genentech for the gOenophiles' "CA Merlot & Merlot Meritages" tasting, hosted by Sanjeev & Venita, 08/22/08. Blind Bottle #8 Scoring 0-3 Me (Group): 2.00 (2.25) PMV: "Appellation: Sonoma County Vintage: 2005 Harvest: October 2005 Fermentation: Stainless Steel Cooperage: French Oak Blend: 100% Merlot Alcohol: 15.7% Bottling: July 2007 Production: 490 cases Release Date: November 15, 2007 Price: $75.00 Clone 3 Merlot vines planted on a vein of rocky, volcanic soil in our Lower Mountain Top vineyard block create this expressive single vineyard wine. Heady red fruit and floral notes of blueberry, raspberry, plum and freesia are balanced by brown sugar, anise and toffee aromas. The seductive nose and mid-palate lead into a silky finish as fully integrated tannins caress the tongue. Vintages: 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 Back to Full Wine List Profile Appellation: Sonoma County Vintage: 2005 Harvest: October 2005 Fermentation: Stainless Steel Cooperage: French Oak Blend: 100% Merlot Alcohol: 15.7% Bottling: July 2007 Production: 490 cases Release Date: November 15, 2007 Price: $75.00 Sold Out June 03, 2008 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 2008 Issue 138 Rating: 93 Good full red-ruby. Sexy aromas of raspberry, mocha, minerals and nutty oak. Fat, lush and seamless, with impressively dense flavors of dark fruits, mocha and nutty oak lifted by subtle finishing minerality. The tannins are substantial but sweet, and this very rich, layered merlot retains freshness on the very long finish. March 13, 2008 The Wine Spectator-Jan/Feb 2008 Rating: 91 Supple yet well structured underneath, with bold aromas of black cherry, toasty oak and roasted coffee aromas. The flavors are concentrated yet fleshy, with plum, cedar and pencil notes. Best from 2008 through 2012. 490 cases made January 03, 2008 Wine Advocate, Dec. 28, 2007, Issue 174 Rating: 94 The 2005 Vintner's Select is a dense, full-bodied red wine that stains the teeth and fills the mouth with notes of chocolate, mocha, roasted espresso, blackberries, and sweet cherries. This whopper of a Merlot is dense, chewy, and oozing with fruit and glycerin. Consume this stunning 2005 over the next decade. January 03, 2008 California Grapevine, Dec. 07/ Jan. 08 Rating: 91 Medium to medium-dark ruby with purplish tinges; attractive, intense, complex, toasty, tarrish, dark currant and black cherry fruit aroma; full body, rich, plush, plumy, concentrated, toasty, textured, mouth-filling, dark berry fruit flavors; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Could use another three to five more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended." On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 43093 Name: Ahnfeldt Napa Valley Hardman Vineyard Estate Merlot Winery: Ahnfeldt Wines Region: Napa Valley, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvigon Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $45 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2009 Tags: dry gOenophiles gOenoCaM-M2008 CraigMacLean Estate SingleVineard Date Logged: 09/08/2008 My Rating: 2 Stars My Notes: Tasted blind at Genentech for the gOenophiles' "CA Merlot & Merlot Meritages" tasting, hosted by Sanjeev & Venita, 08/22/08. Blind Bottle #7 Scoring 0-3 Me (Group): 1.25 (1.75) AW: "2005 Merlot Tasting Notes It’s not always easy to explain why some vineyards are great for certain varieties, but the Ahnfeldt Hardman vineyard is certainly an amazing Merlot vineyard year after year. The 2005 vintage is a wonderful example of the power potential of this vineyard. Dark ruby red color, saturated rim, cherry, black cherry, toasty oak with notes of cassis, vanilla and raspberry. The entry is full, round, and intense with loads of fruit and a great mid-palate. The mouth coating tannins and moderate acidity create a lingering finish." WineLog ID: 43092 Name: Switchback Ridge Napa Valley Peterson Family Vineyard Estate Merlot Winery: Switchback Ridge Cellars Region: Napa Valley, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Merlot Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $75 Wine Spectator: 91 Wine Advocate: 93 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2013 Tags: gOenophiles gOenoCaM-M2008 Estate SingleVineyard BobFoley Date Logged: 09/08/2008 My Rating: 2 Stars My Notes: Tasted blind at Genentech for the gOenophiles' "CA Merlot & Merlot Meritages" tasting, hosted by Sanjeev & Venita, 08/22/08. Blind Bottle #6 Scoring 0-3 Me (Group): 1.25 (1.75) WineLog ID: 43091 Name: Seavey Napa Valley Seavey Vineyard Estate Merlot Winery: Seavey Vineyard Region: Napa Valley, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $38 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2015 Tags: dry gOenophiles gOenoCaM-M2008 Estate SingleVineyard Date Logged: 09/08/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Tasted blind at Genentech for the gOenophiles' "CA Merlot & Merlot Meritages" tasting, hosted by Sanjeev & Venita, 08/22/08. Blind Bottle #5 Scoring 0-3 Me (Group): 1.75 (1.75) SV: "2005 MERLOT 100% Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled Seavey Vineyard’s twelfth estate-produced Merlot, the 2005, was made from 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot grapes grown at several different elevations of the vineyard. The grapes were harvested at optimal ripeness of sugar and tannins and with concentrated fruit flavors. Winemaking style followed classic Bordeaux methods. Following fermentation, the wine was aged in French oak barrels (40% new oak) for 18 months before bottling in May 2007. The lush nose of ripe blackberries with hints of cedar, clove and dark chocolate gives way to an exceedingly long and rich finish. The wine's opulence is a signature of the classic 2005 vintage. To our core Merlot blocks we added Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Petit Verdot (5%) from the very top of our vineyard, a portion we call “Masochist Hill” because of its extreme slope. This addition augments the mountain character of the wine and contributes complex spice notes and sufficient tannin to see this wine through years of happy aging. Released on May 10th, 2008, the 2005 Merlot is available by direct mail order and at selected wine shops and restaurants. Production: Limited to 498 cases of 750 ml bottles. Alcohol: 14.8% by volume 750ml $38.00" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 43089 Name: Paloma Napa Spring Mountain District Paloma Vineyard Estate Merlot Winery: Paloma Vineyard Region: Spring Mountain District, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon Year/Vintage: 2004 Price: $70 Wine Spectator: 93 Wine Advocate: 92 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2010 Tags: dry gOenophiles gOenoCaM-M2008 Estate SingleVineyard Date Logged: 09/08/2008 My Rating: 2 Stars My Notes: Tasted blind at Genentech for the gOenophiles' "CA Merlot & Merlot Meritages" tasting, hosted by Sanjeev & Venita, 08/22/08. Blind Bottle #4 Scoring 0-3 Me (Group): 1.75 (1.75) CRV: "Our Merlot is a blend of Estate Merlot and Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. The percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon ranges from 12 to 18 percent depending on the vintage. The grapes for this wine are picked in very small amounts as each area of the vineyard reaches its peak of ripeness. The grapes are then de-stemmed and the individual berries cracked open by our 20-year-old Healdsburg stemmer/crusher (with the crusher rollers removed) and fermented in small open top fermenters or small stainless steel tanks. After fermentation the pomace is gently pressed in an old fashioned basket press and each pick is put into a stainless steel tank to settle off the gross lees. The wine then goes into our new or used French oak barrels for 19 months of barrel aging. The resulting wine is a big, world-class red wine capable of improving with bottle aging for 10 to 15 years in most vintages. Although the wine varies with the vintage, they have a consistent thread of complex aromas of black berry fruits, black stone fruits, chocolate, tobacco, spice and floral notes with a mineral overtone. On the palate the wine has a big silky mouth feel, well balanced, with flavors of berries, fruit, cocoa, cassis, and spice, and a long spicy finish. Fruit tannins in our wines tend to be big, but not harsh and are well integrated with the strong fruit component. PALOMA SYRAH In 1994, we cleared a small area of trees that were shading our favorite block of Merlot. We decided to plant a block of Syrah to see how it would do up here and to make wine for our own consumption. In 1996, we started making the wine commercially and now produce 100 to 125 cases per year. Our wine is 100 percent Estate Syrah and is produced by the same methods as our Merlot, except that we do not use new oak in our barrel aging. The wine goes into one of our two-year-old French oak barrels for 15 months of barrel aging. The wine tends to show aromas of berries, black pepper (very strong in cooler vintages), sage, spice, burnt orange with hints of forest floor in some vintages. On the palate flavors of spice, pepper and berries are followed by a long spicy finish." WineLog ID: 43088 Name: Nickel & Nickel Oakville Harris Vineyard Merlot Winery: Nickel & Nickel Region: Oakville, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $50 Wine Spectator: 87 Wine Enthusiast: 87 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2009 Drink By: 2017 Tags: dry gOenophiles gOenoCaM-M2008 SingleVineyard Date Logged: 09/08/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted blind at Genentech for the gOenophiles' "CA Merlot & Merlot Meritages" tasting, hosted by Sanjeev & Venita, 08/22/08. Blind Bottle #3 My favorite of the tasting! NN: "APPELLATION: Oakville, Napa Valley VARIETAL: 100% Merlot FERMENTATION: Typical for red wine AGING: French oak barrels (43% new/57% once-used) CASES PRODUCED: 1801 cases HARVEST DATES: September 9 & 12, 2004 RELEASE DATE: March 2007 SKIN CONTACT: 7 days TIME: 16 months FIRST VINTAGE: 2000 Harris Vineyard is located in western Oakville, just east of Branding Iron Vineyard. Nickel & Nickels five-acre block offers a southern exposure and soil of gravelly clay loam. Thinning passes allow each cluster to hang freely, optimizing the trellis system, and taking advantage of the warm climate to reach full maturity. The theme of the 2004 growing season was early. Budbreak in this vineyard occurred in mid-March with bloom in early May. The weather was quite agreeable during the season with only a few heat spikes during the summer. The vineyard was thinned as normal and green fruit was dropped allowing each cluster to hang independently to ripen. Warmer weather in August elevated sugar levels as well as fruit flavors and we harvested at different times in early September. The 2004 Harris Merlot is a very stylish expression of classic Oakville Merlot. The flavor profile continues to be of rich, berry fruit layered with dried herbs of bay leaf and sage that combine with notes of earth, cigar and spice. The contribution from the oak of sweet vanillin, cedar and smoke integrate with the fruit, rounding out the middle palate. The firm, yet supple, tannins add length on the finish, which is elegant and characteristic of this wine." On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 35401 Name: Ehlers Estate St. Helena Merlot Winery: Ehlers Estate Region: St. Helena, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $45 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2017 Tags: dry gOenophiles gOenoCaM-M2008 Estate Date Logged: 09/07/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted blind at Genentech for the gOenophiles' "CA Merlot & Merlot Meritages" tasting, hosted by Sanjeev & Venita, 08/22/08. Blind Bottle #2 Scoring 0-3 Me (Group): 2.00 (1.75+) EE: "Vintage: 2005 Varietal: Merlot Harvest Date: September 24th – October 29th Acid: 6.1 g/L TA PH: 3.74 pH Bottling Date: May 3rd, 2007 Alcohol %: 14.9% alcohol by volume Tasting Notes: The product of a long, cool growing season, our 2005 Estate Merlot balances powerful flavors with fine tannins that result in a natural approachability. The wine offers intricate, layered aromatics, highlighting rose petals, blackberry pie and creamy spice. On the palate, this Merlot displays earth tones of coffee, sage and cedar that segue to a focused mid-palate of black fruit. The incorporation of 15 percent Cabernet Sauvignon in the final blend adds depth, density and structure. The wine is full-bodied, with rich, detailed tannins that integrate well with the natural acidity of the cool-vintage fruit, while the oak shows restraint, offering subtle accents of maple and cream. Vineyard Notes: 25.0 Brix Production Notes: 1,834 cases (12 x 750ml) Other Notes: Final Blend: 81% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc Fruit Source: 100% estate grown Oak Regime: 17 months in oak, 85% French oak, 40% new barrels Primary Coopers: Treuil, World Cooperage, Bel Air" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 43087 Name: Cort Riva Vineyards Napa Merlot Winery: Cort Riva Vineyards Region: Napa Valley, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Merlot Year/Vintage: 2004 Price: $50 Wine Spectator: 78 Wine Advocate: 91 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2009 Drink By: 2014 Tags: gOenophiles gOenoCaM-M2008 BobFoley Date Logged: 09/07/2008 My Rating: 2 Stars My Notes: Tasted blind at Genentech for the gOenophiles' "CA Merlot & Merlot Meritages" tasting, hosted by Sanjeev & Venita, 08/22/08. Blind Bottle #1 Scoring 0-3 Me (Group): 1.75 (2.00) CRV: "Rated 91 by Wine Advocate. Aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels, 75% new, with a blend of Kenefic Ranch and Blackbird Vineyards, creates a medium dark ruby Merlot. It opens with a dense aroma of cedar cassis, black cherry and blackberry with a long powerful finish of coffee and dark chocolate. This huge expressive Merlot has good structure, supple integrated oak and great balance." WineLog ID: 43086 Name: Portalupi Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Winery: Portalupi Wines Region: Russian River Valley, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $45 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2009 Drink By: 2012 Tags: dry Clare BellaVino Date Logged: 09/07/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Drank at BP & Billi's NFL BBQ, 09/07/08, courtesy of Clare. PW: "Elegance, sophistication and love are the goals we set out to achieve in crafting this elusive wine. The decision to make Pinot Noir is predicated on one thing and one thing only. Getting fruit from one of Americas top growers and thats exactly what we do. Pinot would not be in our portfolio of wines if it were not for the legendary Russian River Valley vineyard on Westside Road from which we source our grapes. Our winemaking philosophy for Pinot is simple - less is MORE. The less we handle or overwork the fruit, the more we will get out of it. Not following current trends of extended maceration, cold soaks, enzyme additions or slow fermentations, we simply crush, punch - cap - ferment and gentle press. The result is a svelte, sleek, feminine Volnay style Pinot with seductive fruit and spice. Unlike what we term Oregon Burgeaux or California Rhongundy, our Pinot is definitively Old World elegance." On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 43085 Name: William Harrison Rutherford Estate Simpatico Winery: William Harrison Vineyards & Winery Region: Rutherford, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Year/Vintage: 2004 Price: $26 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2010 Drink By: 2016 Tags: dry Clare Estate QPR Date Logged: 09/07/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Drank at BP & Billi's NFL BBQ, 09/07/08, courtesy of Clare. On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 43070 Name: Williams Selyem Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Winery: Williams Selyem Winery Region: Russian River Valley, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $121 Wine Spectator: 87 Wine Enthusiast: 88 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2009 Drink By: 2014 Tags: dry gOenophiles gOenoWSPN2008 BobCabral Date Logged: 09/06/2008 My Rating: 1 Stars My Notes: Tasted blind at Genentech for the gOenophiles' "'05/'06 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir" tasting, hosted by Scott, 08/22/08. Blind Bottle #8 Scoring 0-3 Me (Group): 0.50 (1.50) WSW: "TECHNICAL NOTES Barrel Description: 31% new, 47% 1 year old, 22% 2 year old Barrel Aged: 10 months pH: 3.5 TA: 0.61g/100ml Alc: 14.3% Released Spring 2008 $45 WINEMAKER COMMENTS This wine reminds me very much of our 2002 Russian River. The nose is fragranced with ripe plums, wild blackberry jam, violets, forest floor, crme brle and honey-cured bacon. Your mouth fills with blackberries, blueberries, sassafras, nutmeg and toasty oak. The ripe, concentrated tannins are rich and round across your palate and the balanced acidity and berry finish is long and lingering. A fuller bodied wine that should get better with 5-6 years of age. Winemaker Bob Cabral THE VINEYARDS The pinot noir for this blend was sourced from our Drake Estate Vineyard, the Allen Vineyard, the Flax Vineyard, the Rochioli Riverblock Vineyard, the Bucher Vineyard, and our Litton Estate Vineyard. HARVEST 2006 The 2006 grape growing season was characterized by weather extremes. The unusually cool and wet weather of the early spring caused a late start to the 2006 Harvest. Challenged by the prolonged and excessive July heat spikes followed by more moisture, the vines required attentive care. Cool coastal weather returned in August, mitigating the effect of the hot summer and permitting a long hang time for optimal fruit maturity and a controlled pace for ideal picking. Grape clusters were unusually large, resulting in a generous crop load. Winemaking for the vintage was focused on meticulous fruit sorting and concentrating flavors, resulting in wines of fullness and length. Our Pinot noirs across growing regions have fruitiness of intensity and purity; our Russian River Zinfandels are ripe and typically powerful; our Russian River Chardonnays are particularly aromatic and finely structured." WineLog ID: 43069 Name: Williams Selyem Sonoma Coast Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Pinot Noir Winery: Williams Selyem Winery Region: Sonoma Coast, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $95 Wine Spectator: 89 Wine Enthusiast: 91 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2009 Drink By: 2014 Tags: dry gOenophiles gOenoWSPN2008 BobCabral Date Logged: 09/06/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted blind at Genentech for the gOenophiles' "'05/'06 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir" tasting, hosted by Scott, 08/22/08. Blind Bottle #7 Scoring 0-3 Me (Group): 2.25 (1.75) WSW: "Appellation: Sonoma Coast Vineyard Notes: A blend of fruit from our Estate Drake Vineyard, Peay Vineyard, Coastlands Vineyard, and Hirsch Vineyard. Vintage Notes: For this wine, Bob selected hand-made French oak barrels, with medium-plus toast. The wine was aged for 10 months in Francois Freres, Troncais oak barrels, 36% new oak, 36% one-year-old, 29% two-year-old. 13.9% Alcohol, 0.60g/100ml TA, 3.55 pH Released Spring 2007 Vintage: 2005 Price: $39 The wild raspberry, citrus blossom, rose petal, cardamom and mocha nose exudes classic Sonoma Coast pinot noir. Your mouth will explode with flavors of wild berries, cranberries, toasted nut bread, white pepper, toffee and toasted marshmallow. Rich tannins and acidity balance out the ripe wild berry flavors, pomegranate, fresh herbs and spices. The long sensual finish completes this wonderful experience. Alc. 13.9%. Winemaker Bob Cabral" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 43068 Name: Williams Selyem San Benito County Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Vista Verde Vineyard Pinot Noir Winery: Williams Selyem Winery Region: San Benito County, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $121 Wine Spectator: 90 Wine Enthusiast: 87 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2015 Tags: dry gOenophiles gOenoWSPN2008 BobCabral SingleVineyard Date Logged: 09/06/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted blind at Genentech for the gOenophiles' "'05/'06 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir" tasting, hosted by Scott, 08/22/08. Blind Bottle #6 Scoring 0-3 Me (Group): 2.25 (2.00-) On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 43067 Name: Williams Selyem Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Winery: Williams Selyem Winery Region: Russian River Valley, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $55 Wine Spectator: 87 Wine Enthusiast: 86 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2009 Drink By: 2014 Tags: dry gOenophiles gOenoWSPN2008 BobCabral Date Logged: 09/06/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Tasted blind at Genentech for the gOenophiles' "'05/'06 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir" tasting, hosted by Scott, 08/22/08. Blind Bottle #5 Scoring 0-3 Me (Group): 2.00 (1.75) WSW: "Appellation: Russian River Valley Vineyard Notes: A blend of fruit from our Drake Estate Vineyard, Allen Vineyard, Flax Vineyard, Rochioli Riverblock Vineyard, Bucher Vineyard, and Litton Estate Vineyard. Vintage Notes: For this wine, Bob selected hand-made French oak barrels, with medium-plus toast. The wine was aged for 10 months in Francois Freres, Troncais oak barrels, 40% new oak, 30% one-year-old, 30% two-year-old. 13.8% Alcohol, 0.59g/100ml TA, 3.59 pH Released Spring 2007 Vintage: 2005 Price: $42 Winemaker's Notes A pleasurable blend to assemble, with more than 80% of the fruit coming from our Drake Estate Vineyard in Guerneville. The Pommard clone predominant in this blend is reminiscent of blackberries, plums, cloves, black truffle, cola and crme brle. The rich and broad tannins accentuate blackberry-plummy fruits and complement the creamy, silky, yet fat finish and concentrated berry /spicy flavors. I believe this wine truly expresses the classic finesse and sexiness that you should expect from a Russian River Valley pinot noir. Alc. 13.9%. Winemaker Bob Cabral" WineLog ID: 43066 Name: Williams Selyem Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Winery: Williams Selyem Winery Region: Sonoma Coast, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $52 Wine Spectator: 82 Wine Enthusiast: 87 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2009 Drink By: 2014 Tags: dry gOenophiles gOenoWSPN2008 BobCabral Date Logged: 09/06/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted blind at Genentech for the gOenophiles' "'05/'06 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir" tasting, hosted by Scott, 08/22/08. Blind Bottle #4 Scoring 0-3 Me (Group): 2.50 (1.75) WSW: "TECHNICAL NOTES Barrel Description: 31% new, 35% 1 year old, 34% 2 year old Barrel Aged: 10 months pH: 3.49 TA: 0.63g/100ml Alc: 14.2% Released Spring 2008 $42 WINEMAKER COMMENTS Medium in body and in color, this wine exhibits a nose of high toned aromas of wild blackberries, pomegranates, sandalwood, Asian spice and roasted marshmallows. The mouth is filled with flavors of tart raspberries, truffles, dried cranberries, racy acids, cardamom and mocha. The bright Coastal acidity and ripe soft tannins accentuate the wild berry flavors which linger into the long finish. Will need some aging time. —Winemaker Bob Cabral THE VINEYARDS The pinot noir for this blend was sourced from our Drake Estate Vineyard, the Coastlands Vineyard, the Hirsch Vineyard, and the Peay Vineyard. HARVEST 2006 The 2006 grape growing season was characterized by weather extremes. The unusually cool and wet weather of the early spring caused a late start to the 2006 Harvest. Challenged by the prolonged and excessive July heat spikes followed by more moisture, the vines required attentive care. Cool coastal weather returned in August, mitigating the effect of the hot summer and permitting a long hang time for optimal fruit maturity and a controlled pace for ideal picking. Grape clusters were unusually large, resulting in a generous crop load. Winemaking for the vintage was focused on meticulous fruit sorting and concentrating flavors, resulting in wines of fullness and length. Our Pinot noirs across growing regions have fruitiness of intensity and purity; our Russian River Zinfandels are ripe and typically powerful; our Russian River Chardonnays are particularly aromatic and finely structured." On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 43065 Name: Williams Selyem Anderson Valley Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Ferrington Vineyard Pinot Noir Winery: Williams Selyem Winery Region: Anderson Valley, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $120 Wine Spectator: 87 Wine Enthusiast: 95 Wine Advocate: 90 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2009 Drink By: 2015 Tags: dry gOenophiles gOenoWSPN2008 BobCabral SingleVineyard Date Logged: 09/06/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted blind at Genentech for the gOenophiles' "'05/'06 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir" tasting, hosted by Scott, 08/22/08. Blind Bottle #3 Scoring 0-3 Me (Group): 2.00 (2.00) On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 43064 Name: Williams Selyem Russian River Valley Westside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir Winery: Williams Selyem Winery Region: Russian River Valley, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $100 Wine Spectator: 87 Wine Enthusiast: 89 Wine Advocate: 93 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2014 Tags: dry gOenophiles gOenoWSPN2008 BobCabral Date Logged: 09/06/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted blind at Genentech for the gOenophiles' "'05/'06 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir" tasting, hosted by Scott, 08/22/08. Blind Bottle #2 Scoring 0-3 Me (Group): 2.00 (2.00-) WSW: "TECHNICAL NOTES Barrel Description: 62% new, 38% 1 year old Barrel Aged: 14 months pH: 3.51 TA: 0.55g/100ml Alc: 14.2% Released Spring 2008 $65 WINEMAKER COMMENTS Dark and rich in color, this wine offers a bouquet of wild blackberries, cola, plums, fennel, rose petal, butterscotch and toasty oak which immediately fills your senses. Ripe, full-bodied tannins accentuate layers of flavors of blackberry jam, cassis, cherry cola, plums, crème brûlée and black truffles. A wonderfully textured wine with great acid balance that will give this youthful wine life for many years to come. —Winemaker Bob Cabral THE VINEYARDS The pinot noir for this blend was sourced from the Allen Vineyard, the Bacigalupi Vineyard, the Bucher Vineyard, the Flax Vineyard, and the Rochioli Riverblock Vineyard. HARVEST 2006 The 2006 grape growing season was characterized by weather extremes. The unusually cool and wet weather of the early spring caused a late start to the 2006 Harvest. Challenged by the prolonged and excessive July heat spikes followed by more moisture, the vines required attentive care. Cool coastal weather returned in August, mitigating the effect of the hot summer and permitting a long hang time for optimal fruit maturity and a controlled pace for ideal picking. Grape clusters were unusually large, resulting in a generous crop load. Winemaking for the vintage was focused on meticulous fruit sorting and concentrating flavors, resulting in wines of fullness and length. Our Pinot noirs across growing regions have fruitiness of intensity and purity; our Russian River Zinfandels are ripe and typically powerful; our Russian River Chardonnays are particularly aromatic and finely structured." On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 43063 Name: Williams Selyem Russian River Valley Flax Vineyard Pinot Noir Winery: Williams Selyem Winery Region: Russian River Valley, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $105 Wine Enthusiast: 96 Wine Advocate: 93 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2013 Tags: dry gOenophiles gOenoWSPN2008 SingleVineyard BobCabral Date Logged: 09/06/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted blind at Genentech for the gOenophiles' "'05/'06 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir" tasting, hosted by Scott, 08/22/08. Blind Bottle #1 Scoring 0-3 Me (Group): 2.50 (1.75+) My favorite for the tasting! On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 25535 Name: Williams Selyem Westside Road Neighbors Winery: Williams Selyem Winery Region: California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2004 Price: $70 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2007 Drink By: 2012 Date Logged: 09/06/2008 On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 43060 Name: Limerick Lane Russian River Valley 1023 Syrah-Zinfandel Winery: Limerick Lane Cellars Region: Russian River Valley, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Syrah, Zinfandel Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $75 Bottle Size: 1500ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2014 Tags: dry Estate SingleVineyard CollinsVineyard Date Logged: 09/06/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Had at Loq Records Appreciation Party on 08/23/08, courtesy of Martin & Chris. LLC: "Winemaker Comments: 1023, A Blend of Syrah and Zinfandel.This wine is called 1023 after the address of the Collins Vineyard on Limerick Lane in Healdsburg. The Zinfandel vines are grown on clay loam soils and are all crown pruned. The average age of these Zinfandel vines is over 50 years old. The Syrah is half crown pruned and half trellised. The Syrah vines were planted in 1987. Tasting Notes: Clear, dark colors of red rubies give way to aromas of dark cherry pie, blackberries, vanilla, toasted oak and roasting meat. This wine enters the mouth with red fruit flavors of cherry and raspberry. A delightful mouthfeel starts out soft but powerful, intensifying towards the middle palate. Supple tannins and balanced acidity lead to a smooth, lingering finish. The reliability and consistency of the Collins vineyard shine through. Another winning example of the blend being greater than the sum of its parts. 150 cases" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 43059 Name: Valle del Acate Sicilia Poggio Bidini Nero d'Avola Winery: Valle del Acate Region: Sicily, Italy Type: Red Wine Variety: Nero d'Avola Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $13 Wine Spectator: 80 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2010 Tags: dry Date Logged: 09/06/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Had at Loq Records Appreciation Party on 08/23/08, courtesy of Mark & Jen, their house red. K&L: "Lovely fruit on the nose and the palate, with red cherries and spice. Not a lot of tannin on this pleaser, so it appeals for those who appreciate drinability and softness above structure and longevity. Aged for 4-5 months in steel vats. Enjoy with roast chicken." WineLog ID: 43058 Name: Chteau de Ripaille Vin de Savoie Winery: Chteau de Ripaille Region: Savoie, France Type: White Wine Variety: Chasselas Year/Vintage: 2007 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2009 Tags: dry Date Logged: 09/06/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Had at Loq Records Appreciation Party on 08/23/08, courtesy of Mark & Jen, their house white. CdR: "Savoie Region Printer-Friendly Version Chteau de Ripaille Vin de Savoie Our Savoie infatuation continues with this crisp, delicate white from the Northeastern part of the Vin de Savoie appellation. The cru Ripaille lies just outside Thonon-les-Bains, a mere 4 kilometres from Evian-les-Bains where the famous water is bottled. Both towns lie along Lac Lman (Lake Geneva, if you like), about a 75-minute drive from Geneva, Switzerland. History The history of the property is well-documented. There was a Roman villa with vines on the grounds from the first to the fourth centuries. Bonne de Bourbon built a hunting lodge here at the end of the 14th century. The area surrounding the Chteau de Ripaille was used as the hunting grounds for the Comtes de Savoie and eventually became their preferred place of residence. Chteau de Ripaille Aerial view of the Chteau de Ripaille In 1434, Amde VIII, the first Duc de Savoie who later became the last antipope in the history of the Catholic Church and reigned as Felix V from 1439 to 1449, built the chteau. It originally had seven towers, of which four still exist. At the end of the 15th century the property was occupied by invading Swiss, and records show that they sent wine in barrel back to Berne. The Chteau de Ripaille The Chteau de Ripaille Although known as a religious retreat for church officials, Chteau de Ripaille became the center of the brilliant culture of the Savoie, an important European state. Famous writers, musicians, princes and emperors alike feasted on the succulent dishes of Matre Chiquart, chef of Amde VIII, and drank the property's famous wine. After the wars of the reformation, Saint Franois de Sales intervened and Ripaille became for two centuries a Carthusian monastery, protected from the world by its formidable walls. After the French Revolution, the estate was sold to Gnral Dupas of Evian who retired there after the Napoleonic wars. In 1892, the site, in ruin, was restored and rehabilitated by Frdric Engel-Gros of Mulhouse, a textile factory owner. With the help of noted architect Charles Schule and ten years of painstaking work, the chteau was restored to the condition in which it is found today. The buildings were restored to their original state and a never finished 17th century church was replaced by a French garden. The chteau itself, once standing in ruin, was renovated in a style of a remarkable combination of Medieval and Art Nouveau. Their descendents, the Necker-Engel family, still own the Chteau de Ripaille. Chteau de Ripaille Chteau de Ripaille Grounds In 1976, Madame Harold Necker, with government assistance, created the Ripaille foundation to conserve and maintain its legacy. Today the chteau is owned by Louis Necker and his French-Canadian wife Paule. Ripaille was designated in 1994 by the National Culinary Arts Council as one of the 100 sites remarquables du got in France. Louis and Paule Necker Louis and Paule Necker Chteau de Ripaille Today The chteau is surrounded by 21 hectares (52 acres) of vines, which produce about 160,000 bottles of wine a year. The vineyards are on fairly flat ground, which gently slopes toward the lake. The soil is stony, with sun-baked glacial deposits, mostly limestone, brought down by the Dranse River. All the vines on the property are of the Chasselas variety. Chasselas is the oldest known grape variety, originally coming from Egypt where records indicate its presence 5,000 years ago. It is widely planted in Switzerland, where it is known as Fendant, as well as in the unsung Pouilly-sur-Loire appellation and in Alsace. Chasselas is also popular in France as a table grape. Harvest is done manually at the chteau, and the wine is aged in stainless-steel. All the wine goes through malolactic fermentation, as is normally the case with Swiss wines. The resultant wine is pale in color with an intriguing nose that combines creamy mineral notes with a touch of quinine. The wine is medium-bodied, with additional hints of lime, almond and dried peach. Chasselas vines at the Chateau de Ripaille Chasselas vines at the Chteau de Ripaille This wine shows excellent value and like wines made with the Jacqure grape, are perfect for warm weather sipping, or to accompany chicken salads, sole filets, shellfish, cheeses (raclette, emmental, gruyre, tomme de Savoie) and, of course, fondue." WineLog ID: 43057 Name: Monte Schiavo Pallio di San Floriano Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore DOC Winery: Monte Schiavo Region: Pallio di San Floriano, Italy Type: White Wine Variety: Verdicchio Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $11 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2009 Tags: dry BuonGustoRistorante Genentech Date Logged: 09/06/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Had during a Genentech building move celebration lunch at Buon Gusto in SSF, 08/22/08. ItalianMade.com: "he Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi is the most famous and historically noted DOC wine of the Marches. The vines of the extremely ancient Verdicchio variety, which originated in the region but is now grown as well in Friuli, the Veneto, Tuscany and Campania, cover the hills that flank the river Esino. And it is believed that the cultivation of vines in the Marches began in that same area. At the center of that historic grape-growing district, known as the Castelli di Jesi, stands the community that has given its name to the wine, the ancient Aesis, a Roman colony although probably of Umbrian origin. The history of that town, Jesi, is intertwined with that of its Castelli, of which there remain only the ruins: Castelbellino, Castelplanio, Maiolati, Monte Roberto and Cupramontana. The latter was a town that grew up around a temple built in honor of the goddess Cupra and restored in 217 by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. At the temple, propitiatory rites were performed in which wine, the probable ancestor of Verdicchio, was drunk in honor of Cupra, goddess of wealth and opulence. The reputation of Verdicchio spread from the Roman lands to the barbarians beyond the Alps, who invaded and brought down the empire in the West. When in 410, Alaric, king of the Visigoths, was passing through the Marches on his way to besiege and sack Rome, he reportedly ordered that 40 mules be loaded with barrels of Verdicchio to take along with him because he held that the wine was excellent for maintaining and stimulating the strength of his soldiers. However, the wine could have come from the neighboring Verdicchio di Metalica zone. Verdicchio has been cited in poetry innumerable times over the centuries. Among those who have mentioned the wine was the noted Tuscan poet of the 16th century Pietro Aretino. Despite his reputation as a denigrator of everything and everyone, he had nothing but warm words of praise for the wine's dietetic and gustatory virtues. Today, the worldwide reputation of Verdicchio, the leading DOC wine of the Marches in terms of quantity, has been further enhanced in respect to prestige and sales by the introduction in Italy and abroad of a new sparkling wine that some estates are now producing both by the Charmat and the Champenois methods. The Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi can be labeled with the geographical qualification Classico when it is produced in the oldest sector of the zone indicated in the DOC discipline." WineLog ID: 43056 Name: Patricia Green Cellars Ribbon Ridge Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir Winery: Patricia Green Cellars Region: Ribbon Ridge, Oregon Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $36 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2011 Tags: dry Estate WineVaultSSF Date Logged: 09/06/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Drank at the our moving party in B46 at Genentech, courtesy of Walter who got it from the wine club at Wine Vault in SSF, 08/29/08. On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 43055 Name: Inniskillin Niagra Peninsula Vidal Gold Oak Aged Icewine Winery: Inniskillin Region: Niagra Peninsula, Canada Type: Dessert Wine Variety: Vidal Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $56 Bottle Size: 375ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2031 UPC: 620654120017 Tags: sweet Flemings Date Logged: 09/06/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Had at the end of our anniversary dinner at Flemings in Walnut Creek, paired with creme brule. I: "Technical Notes Alcohol/Volume: 9 % Dryness: 24 pH Level: 3.2 Residual Sugar: 240g/L Total Acidity: 12.3g/L Release Date: July 2007 Ageability (Serves Until): 2017 Serving Temperature: 5-8 C Oak Aging Yes 2006 Icewine Oak Aged Vidal VQA Niagara Peninsula Viticulture/Vinification Inniskillin Icewine recognized as one of the world's great wines, is a gift from winter to wine lovers. Harvested at the pinnacle of Canada's crisp winter, the grapes are naturally frozen on the vine and picked when the temperature drops below -10C. Only a few drops of luscious nectar can be extracted from each bunch, which is expertly guided through fermentation to achieve the rich and alluring speciality known as Icewine. Vintage Conditions After a milder than normal start to winter, 2006 Icewine Harvest started mid January and was completed by the end of January 2007. Winemaker Bruce Nicholson was pleased with the quality which resulted from the concentration from later picking in ideal low temperatures. An excellent balance between acid and sugar means the 2006 icewine vintage could be one of Inniskillin's best. January 16, 21, 28 completed January 31, 2007. Tasting Notes The finest and highest Brix Vidal grapes were selected for this vintage which displays ripe peaches and apricots on the nose with overtones of marmalade and candied brown sugar. With intense fruit flavours on the palate, the wine's ample natural acidity is softened with a creamy vanilla note afforded by oak aging. Food Pairing Suggestions Perfect on its own as a dessert, or an excellent match to fresh fruit, rich pat or fine blue veined and cream based cheese. Winemaker Bruce Nicholson Size 375 ml UPC 620654120017 SCC 20620654120011 Product # 534396" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 43053 Name: Cakebread Cellars Carneros Reserve Chardonnay Winery: Cakebread Cellars Region: Carneros, California Type: White Wine Variety: Chardonnay Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $54 Wine Spectator: 89 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2015 Tags: dry JulianneLaks Date Logged: 09/06/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Had at Loöq Records Appreciation Party on 08/23/08, courtesy of Mark & Jen. CC: "Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay Alcoholic Content: 14.1% Vineyards: 100% Carneros District Total Acidity: 0.65g/100ml pH: 3.72 Harvest Dates: 9/26//2005 through 10/20/2005 Fermentation: 100% French Oak Barrel-aging: 15 months French oak, 54% new. Winemaker: Julianne Laks Vineyards The grapes for our 2005 Chardonnay Reserve, Carneros, Napa Valley were harvested from several outstanding vineyards in the cool-climate Carneros district, with 46% from our own estate vines. The wine is a blend not only of vineyards, but also of four superb clones of Chardonnay that flourish in cool-climate regions like Carneros. Their small-berried clusters yield Chardonnays with intense, beautifully balanced varietal flavors. In 2005, we harvested our Carneros fruit in ideal condition between September 26th and October 20th. Vintage 2005 2005 is proving an exceptional vintage. As in 2004, budbreak was early due to a warm late winter, but the weather then turned cool and rainy, delaying vine development. Atypically cool temperatures continued throughout the summer, further slowing the ripening process and extending the harvest season, which finally reached fruition with classic early-fall weather in late September and October. Due to the length of the growing season, our Carneros Chardonnay grapes spent an extended period on the vine developing deeply concentrated flavors at moderate sugar levels. The result is a rich, beautifully balanced wine of great depth and complexity. Winemaking One hundred percent of the grapes were harvested at night by hand and whole-cluster pressed to yield fresh, pure juice. After cold-settling in tank for 36 hours, 77% of the juice was inoculated with several cultured yeast strains that enhance the fruitiness and rich texture of Chardonnay, while 23% fermented with native yeast strains, which foster greater complexity and a pleasing mineral tone. All the juice fermented in French oak barrels, 32% new, with 21% undergoing a secondary, malolactic fermentation to enrich the wine’s texture and develop a pleasingly creamy, buttery tone. Aging on the primary yeast lees for 14 months in barrel, with frequent stirring, added a silky texture and subtle yeasty richness to the wine’s intense varietal fruit flavors. After racking off the lees, the wine was bottled in January, 2007. Tasting Notes Our 2005 Chardonnay Reserve, Carneros, Napa Valley initially showcases vibrant Granny Smith apple and spiced pear aromas, with undertones of melon and citrus. With airing, a pronounced creamy tone emerges, along with enticing scents of warm baking spices and toasty, spicy French oak. On the palate, a rich, creamy texture introduces concentrated, beautifully structured apple and melon flavors augmented by luscious butterscotch and savory, toasty oak tones, leading to a long, multi-faceted finish featuring subtle baked bread, mineral and citrus notes. Delicious to drink now, this luxurious, complex, finely structured Chardonnay will gain additional richness and complexity with another 5-8 years of bottle age." On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 43042 Name: Artesa Sonoma/Napa Merlot Winery: Artesa Winery Region: North Coast, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Year/Vintage: 2004 Price: $20 Wine Enthusiast: 82 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2007 Drink By: 2012 Tags: dry 111Minna QPR Date Logged: 09/05/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Had at Qol at 111 Minna Gallery, 09/03/08. AW: "VARIETAL COMPOSITION 75% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 7% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Syrah, 1% Petite Verdot VINEYARDS 40% Sonoma Valley, 26% Napa Valley, 19% Knights Valley (Sonoma), 15% Alexander Valley (Sonoma) HARVEST INFORMATION October 2004 Average sugar at harvest, 24.8 Brix TECHNICAL DATA Alcohol content, 13.9% by volume. Average time on skins, 14 days. 7,515 cases produced COOPERAGE Aged for 22 months in 40% new, 60% used French and American oak barrels THE 2004 VINTAGE The vines woke up early in 2004 and got an early start. The crop load was moderate due to the inclement spring of 2003 and the vines had good leaf growth which enabled them to survive an extended early September heat spell without concern. We were able to pick the grapes when they were ripe over an extended harvest. ABOUT THE VINEYARDS This Merlot comes primarily from the cooler portions of Sonoma and Napa Valleys. The cooler temperatures allow for more hang time which produces more intense flavors and better tannic structure. The vineyards required some careful morning side leaf removal and irrigation management to insure enough hang time to get even and complete berry ripening. Too few leaves on the vine do not generate enough energy for world-class flavors and the berries may become sun burned; too many leaves and the berries end up shaded and not as fruity. The temperate application of irrigation water maintained a healthy canopy of leaves that survived the couple of heat spells we had. Extensive field testing and tasting determined the optimal day to pick. WINEMAKING Following hand-harvesting, the grapes were de-stemmed only (whole berries). Fermentations were conducted in a combination of open-top vessels with a punchdown device and closed tanks with gentle cap irrigators. Several types of yeast were used for both inoculated and uninoculated fermenting. Most lots were pressed directly to barrel, and malolactic fermentations finished in barrel. After one year, the wines were racked and returned to barrel for an additional year of aging. TASTING NOTES Brimming with raspberry, cherry and boysenberry. This satin soft wine has layers of clove, anise, vanilla and milk chocolate serving as delicious counterpoints to the pervasive berry fruit. Supple mature tannins and a fruitenlivening acid balance guarantee this wine will please for years to come. 2 0 0 4 M E R L O T S O N O M A / N A P A 2 0 0 4 M E R L O T S O N O M A / N A P A DISTRIBUTED" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 43040 Name: St. Clement Bale Lane Sauvignon Blanc Winery: St. Clement Vineyards Region: Napa Valley, California Type: White Wine Variety: Sauvignon Blanc Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $21 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2010 UPC: 407886 Tags: dry 111Minna SingleVineyard Date Logged: 09/05/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Had at Qol at 111 Minna Gallery, 09/03/08. SCV: "Vineyard Notes: The 2007 growing season is a standout vintage for white wines. The season began with a drier than average winter, and the trend continued throughout the growing season. Overall we received about 60 percent of normal precipitation during the year. A warm spring resulted in early budbreak, and it was predicted to be an early harvest, but the pace slowed as mild summer temperatures set in. A brief heat spike around Labor Day provided the boost of sugar development necessary to complement the excellent acid structure in the white varietals. The fruit for this luscious Sauvignon Blanc comes from our Bale Lane vineyard, which lies just north of the winery. Often among the first of the vineyards to be picked, Winemaker Danielle Cyrot likes to harvest the grapes at a lower sugar content to retain the acidity and freshness of this wine. The grapes were hand-picked and whole cluster pressed to preserve their wonderful exotic fruit flavors and aromas. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks at very cold temperatures and malolactic fermentation was inhibited to retain the bright acidity and minerality. After fermentation was complete, Danielle drew off five percent of the juice into new Hungarian oak barrels for four months. This touch of oak imparts another layer of complexity to this wine, including slight floral notes on the nose and a lengthy mid-palate. Winemaker's Comments: Light straw in color, this fresh Sauvignon Blanc offers enticing aromas of honeydew melon, grapefruit and honeysuckle. Crisp acidity greets the palate, introducing flavors of lemon, key lime pie, cucumber and fresh green apple. The mid-palate is lush and full, leading to a crisp, clean finish that features flavors of grapefruit and citrus blossom. Varietal Content: 100% Sauvignon Blanc Harvest: Appellation: Napa Valley Harvest Dates: August 20, 2007 Vineyard: Bale Lane Release: Bottling Completed: March 2008 Release Date: April 2008 407886 - $21.00" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42996 Name: Domaine Chandon Carneros Pinot Meunier Winery: Domaine Chandon Region: Carneros, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Meunier Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $35 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2009 Tags: dry HiFiLounge MoetetChandon Date Logged: 09/02/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Drank at the Hi-Fi Lounge in San Francisco during Figs' birthday. DC: "PHILOSOPHY While Domaine Chandon is best known as one of Americas top sparkling wines, the winery also produces limited quantities of varietal wines from estate-grown vineyards. These wines are crafted by drawing on experience with the traditional champagne varietals and showcasing select parcels from its Carneros ranch, where Domaine Chandon was among the pioneering growers and vintners of the region. Pinot Meunier (French for miller in reference to the powdery underside of the leaves that can look as though dusted with flour) is the soulful sibling of Pinot Noir. It plays a small but vital role in the blending of Chandon sparkling wines. Rarely planted outside of the Champagne region in France, Pinot Meunier is being discovered by only the most adventurous winemakers. Domaine Chandons experience growing Carneros Pinot Meunier for its sparkling wine programs over the past three decades has provided unique insight and allowing the winemaking team to capture the full potential of this variety to create an exceptional wine. Its distinctive character deserves a place on every wine lovers table. First made in 1989, the 2006 Pinot Meunier continues Domaine Chandons proud tradition pioneering unique wine styles. Search for this wine and you will be rewarded. VINTAGE NOTES The 2006 growing season started late, with challenges from New Year flooding and wet weather continuing late into spring delaying budbreak. By early June, the sun came out and vines began to bloom and set fruit. Mid-Julys recordsetting ten day heat wave helped catch the vines up to a normal place in the growing season. Somewhat cooler weather arrived in August and continued through a mild Indian summer, allowing maximum hangtime and optimal flavor development just prior to harvesting the Pinot Meunier in 2006. Harvest began about two weeks later than usual and also ended late, in mid-October. TASTING NOTES With its light brick-red color, this wine exhibits aromas of freshly ground white pepper, juniper berry and dried strawberry powder combined with hints of soft chamois leather and underlying earth tones of dried porcini mushrooms, tobacco and brown spice. On the palate, the spice and red fruit flavors are a prelude to the strawberry and dried cranberry flavors that linger on the finish. This texture of this wine is soft and approachable with light tannins, balanced acidity and a pleasant creamy mouthfeel. FOOD AND WINE PAIRING Still Winemaker James Kress finds the complex earthiness of this wine makes it an ideal partner to grilled meat dishes that incorporate wild mushrooms, or a pork loin topped with a mountain huckleberry sauce would also be a welcome match. Winemaker: James Kress Vintage: 2006 Harvest Dates: September 2006 Appellation: Carneros Composition: 100 % Pinot Meunier Aging: 10 months 82% French oak 18% American oak - 28% New Oak Alcohol: 14.3% Case Production: 6,800 cases" WineLog ID: 42995 Name: Chateau Bas Aix-en-Provence L'Alverngue Ros Winery: Domaine de Chateau Bas Region: Aix-en-Provence, France Type: Blush Wine Variety: Grenache, Syrah,Cinsault Year/Vintage: 2007 Price: $18 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2009 Tags: dry Date Logged: 09/02/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Tasting in August of 2008, place unknown. CB: "Cpages : Grenache, Syrah,Cinsault. Age des vignes, entre 10 et 15 ans. Sol : Substrat calcaire, Vallons de Chteau Bas. Enherbement naturel permanent. Protection raisonne du vignoble. Rcolte : Mcanique, aux heures fraches de la journe. A pleine maturit du raisin. Rendement moyen : 50 hl/ha. Vinification : Egrappage total. Ros de saigne. Fermentation alcoolique contrle basse temprature. Fermentation malo-lactique non souhaite. Elevage : En cuve sur lies fines pendant l'hiver. Assemblage : Mise en bouteille, aprs assemblage au printemps. Dgustation : Ce ros, quilibre entre fracheur et fruit, sera le bon choix pour votre cuisine provenale, soupe de poissons, mais aussi pizza, charcuterie, volaille ... A boire frais dans l'anne. Temprature de service : 13 14oC." WineLog ID: 42994 Name: Taittanger Champagne Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne Brut Winery: Taittanger Region: Champagne, France Type: Sparkling Wine Variety: Chardonnay Year/Vintage: 1996 Price: $185 Wine Spectator: 93 Wine Enthusiast: 95 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2026 Tags: dry Genentech EC-WE Vintage Date Logged: 09/02/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Wine, brought by Mo for Chris' going away party from Genentech at Cheryl's, and originally received by Genentech BioOncology, 08/01/08. T: " 1996 VINTAGE Although the seasons were very changeable, it was with some surprise that grapes of remarkable quality and with exceptional characteristics were harvested. We have to go back to 1928 to find a potential alcohol-acidity combination of this level and of this quality. Given the historical reputation of this year, there is every hope that 1996 will be an outstanding vintage. COMPOSITION This admirable champagne was produced in the cellars of the thirteenth century Saint-Nicaise Abbey in Reims. The greatest care is taken at every stage of production. Taittinger Comtes de Champagne is only produced when all the conditions, essential to its unique style, are met : * The harvest must be of exceptional quality and worthy of vintage champagne. * It is made exclusively from white Chardonnay grapes (100% Grands Crus) from the most renowned vineyards of the Cte des Blancs. * Only wines from the first pressing (La Cuve) are used. This guarantees the wines finesse. * 5% of the wines used in the blend are aged in new oak barrels (one third of which are replaced every year), thus enhancing the intrinsic qualities of the final blend. TASTING The colour is very pale yellow. The bubbles, extremely fine and light, form a sublime, active and unending ribbon of mousse. The bouquet is intense, expressive, particularly subtle and complex. It starts out with floral aromas of hawthorn and beeswax giving way to discreet notes of lime and fresh pineapple. On the palate, the wine is very lively and persistent to the finish, with mainly lemony flavours together with very delicate aromas of dried flowers and lime blossoms. In all, a magnificent champagne full of finesse, elegance but also complexity and richness. DRINKING SUGGESTIONS This is a wine to be enjoyed at celebrations to highlight special, rare and intense moments. It is also a perfect accompaniment to grilled fish." On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 41423 Name: Whitehaven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Winery: Whitehaven Wine Company and Cafe Region: Marlborough, New Zealand Type: White Wine Variety: Sauvignon Blanc Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $22 Wine Spectator: 83 Wine Enthusiast: 90 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2009 Tags: dry CostCo Date Logged: 09/02/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Wines purchased by Kelly from CostCo for Chris' going away party from Genentech at Cheryl's, 08/01/08. WineLog ID: 42993 Name: Cameron Hughes McLaren Vale Lot 61 Cabernet Sauvignon Winery: Cameron Hughes Wine Region: McLaren Vale, Australia Type: Red Wine Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $18 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2016 Tags: dry CostCo QPR value Date Logged: 09/02/2008 My Notes: Wines purchased by Kelly from CostCo for Chris' going away party from Genentech at Cheryl's, 08/01/08. CHW: "# Vintage: 2006 # Appellation: McLaren Vale # Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon # Alcohol by volume: 15% # Production: 5,000 cases # Release date: April 18, 2008 # Online availability: Sold out Taste: This “Cab Sav,” as they say Down Under, with a nose full of raspberry, pencil shavings, ginger, and menthol eucalyptus, presents a youthful display of a wine that will only become better with maturity. This is a fresh, sexy Cab with black licorice and cranberry on the mid-palate and a finish that lingers with the flavor of savory chocolate covered strawberries. Its structure is well supported by velvety tannins that will mellow with bottle age. Enjoy with a nice filet mignon, stewed lamb chops or hamburgers on the barbie! Cameron Confidential: If you liked the Lot 40 McClaren Vale Cab then you’ll love the Lot 61. Bigger, richer, far more voluptuous. We bought this wine on our January 2007 trip and have had it in barrel until bottling at the end of last year. It’s still unwinding in the bottle and a bit unpredictable but upon broad retail release I expect this wine to fly out the door so don’t be afraid to buy yours today." WineLog ID: 42992 Name: Mapema Mendoza Malbec Winery: Mapema Region: San Carlos-La Consulta, Mendoza, Argentina Type: Red Wine Variety: Malbec Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $20 Wine Spectator: 88 Wine Advocate: 90 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2012 Tags: dry CostCo QPR value Date Logged: 09/02/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Wines purchased by Kelly from CostCo for Chris' going away party from Genentech at Cheryl's, 08/01/08. M: "The Philosophy In winemaking, two heads are definitely better than one when trying to make incredible wines. Longtime friends and winemakers Pepe Galante and Mariano Di Paola banded together in 1999 to bring well over 40 years of winemaking expertise to their mapema wines. Theirs is a history of rich individual accomplishments; Pepe and Mariano are widely recognized as two of Argentinas most talented winemakers, and they joined forces with one thought in mind: take the expertise and experience of two seasoned winemakers, search out the best possible grape sources (in the primera zona or top viticultural area), and make great wines from each harvest. This is their second Malbec release (they have four releases of their primera zona red blend). The Details Vintage: 2005 Varietal Composition: 100% Malbec Locations: San Carlos-La Consulta, (Department-District) Avg. Vineyard Elev.: 3,100 feet Avg. Age of Vines: 23 years Rootstock: Ungrafted Harvest Method: Hand-harvested Press Handling: 100% free-run Oak Regimen: 12 months in 50% new & 50% second-use French barriques Fining: None Filtration: None Alcohol: 13.5% pH: 3.47 Total Case Production: 1500 cases Tasting Notes/Food Pairing Suggestions Intense purple color with shades of violet. Heady aromas of kirsch, cocoa, mint and exotic woods make you want to keep inhaling deeply. Red & black cherry flavors coat the palate, and the oak tannins frame the intense fruit flavors, keeping them from taking over the place! This Malbec is as good on the second day as it is on the firstif you can avoid finishing it! It is a great example of cool weather Malbecit has all the spicy/fruity character of the grape, but it also has a deeper, more serious side. Best with meats such as pork (grilled or roasted loin), grilled hamburgers or steaks, and lamb prepared any way you like. Good with goat, too. About the Name/Label Mapema is a combination of the first two letters of the partners first namesMariano thought he was more important, so his appear twice (Pepe assumed it took two of Mariano to equal one of himself!) The label displays three grape vines following harvestvines that have done everything in their power to produce grapes that will go on to create a great wine. It is a feeling that the two winemaking partners share with each other and express in their wine." On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42991 Name: Siduri Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Winery: Siduri Wines Region: Russian River Valley, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $29 Wine Spectator: 87 Wine Enthusiast: 86 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2010 Tags: sonoma coast sonomacoast dry Genentech Date Logged: 09/01/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Wines purchased by Kelly from Dana for Chris' BARD going away party from Genentech, 08/01/08. SW: "We took a different approach in coming up with the final blend for the 2006 Russian River Pinot Noir. Historically, we have blended all of the remaining barrels from each of our Russian River sites and then subtracted varying parts from the blend. This year we tasted each section from each vineyard blind and came up with different possible blends. This procedure is more time consuming, and definitely leads to a more strict selection (for example, we left out some pretty high profile sections including the 777 from the Keefer Ranch and all of the remaining barrels from the Amber Ridge Vineyard. These lots found their way into the Sonoma County bottling), but we ultimately felt that it produced a far better wine. The final blend that we came up with was 46% Keefer Ranch, 30% Ewald Vineyard, and 24% Parsons Vineyard Pinot Noir. This wine is also a blend of numerous Pinot clones including Pommard, 2A, 114, 115, 777, and clone 23. Our hope, of course, was to produce a wine that was representative of the Russian River Valley and yet also demonstrated a level of complexity. What we ended up with is a Pinot Noir that shows remarkable richness, more black than red fruits, ample concentration, and, underlying it all, sufficient backbone to be a wine that will stand up to food. This is our most immediate appellation Pinot Noir and the one that is likely to drink best right off the bat. 90 points ~ PinotReport Cases Produced: 789 Release Date: September 2007" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 40452 Name: Siduri Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir Winery: Siduri Wines Region: Santa Lucia Highlands, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $32 Wine Spectator: 88 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2010 UPC: 7759100081 Tags: sonoma coast sonomacoast dry Genentech Date Logged: 09/01/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Wines purchased by Kelly from Dana for Chris' BARD going away party from Genentech, 08/01/08. SW: "The Santa Lucia Highlands Appellation blend Pinot Noir has been one of our most popular wines ever since the 1999 vintage received a 91-point rating from the Wine Spectator. The 2006 may be the fullestbodied SLH blend since that 1999 offering. This is due, in part, to the super 2006 vintage and also because of the prominence of Pisoni Vineyard fruit in the blend. The 2006 wine is 47% Pisoni Vineyard, 38% Rosella’s Vineyard and 15% Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir. Aged in 54% new oak for 10 months before bottling without fining or filtration, we are absolutely thrilled with how this wine is developing in bottle. PinotReport Magazine has already awarded the wine 92 Points and described it this way, “medium ruby color; deep, slightly closed, black cherry and smoky aromas; ripe, rich, smoky cherry flavors, complex, silky texture; toasty oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Complex and interesting style with good depth and structure.” 92 points ~ PinotReport CASE PRODUCTION: 1,725 cases 196 cases of half-bottles produced RELEASE DATE: February 2008 Accolades for the 2006 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir icon 93 Points - 2006 Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Santa Lucia Highland Pinot Noirs are very often defined by their ripeness and weight, and, while this bottling is lacking in neither, it is the wine's balance and sense of real polish that sets it apart. Velvety smooth, yet with a fine spine of acid, it is everywhere keyed on youthful cherry-like fruit and is filled in with mildly creamy oak at every stop. A classy and complete package that ranks among Siduri's best efforts in 2006, it is at once irresistible now and seems likely to gain still further refinement with time." WineLog ID: 42855 Name: Bodega Bay Portworks Sonoma Valley Admirals Reserve Lot 8 Red Port Winery: Bodega Bay Portworks Region: Sonoma Valley, California Type: Dessert Wine Variety: Barbera, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon Year/Vintage: NV Price: $32 Bottle Size: 375ml Tags: sweet 4thPSWT2008 Kaz Date Logged: 08/26/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: About The Pirates Reserve White Port: Think white chocolate with every sip of this rich and all too yummy treat. Hints of toasted almonds and vanilla lurk in the sweatiness. Savor every last drop About Bodega Port Works: Bodega Bay Portworks (BBP) is finally online bringing you its fine products. Our newly launched fleet includes Red, White and Blush ports! BBP is a second label for Kaz Vineyard and Winery, located in Kenwood at the heart of Sonoma Valley. The Kaz family boasts itself as the smallest winery in the valley, producing approximately 1,000 cases annually. BBP ports are bottled, corked, foiled and labeled by hand by the Kaz family! Youre in luck because you can only find us at our tasting room, online and at select restaurants in Bodega Bay, California. Technical Information: Tasted at the winery, poured by Kaz, during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/12/08. KVW: " This is perhaps the most complex Red Port yet. If you are into ports, this Lot #9 batch may be your new best fiend. Smooth, rich berries and spices will greet you with every sip. Pairing Suggestions: Fine Dark Chocolate, Blueberry anything, Chocolate Cheesecake or poured over someone special (wink wink). Stats: Alcohol = 20% Residual Sugar = 9.5% Barrels made = 2 Grapes from: Sonoma Valley Fortified Barbera, Zin & Cab Bodega Bay Portworks? Mr. and Mrs. Kaz moved to Bodega Bay so they put the ports under this second name. On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42854 Name: Kaz Sonoma County Moo Vedra Mourvdre Winery: Kaz Vineyard & Winery Region: Sonoma County, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Mourvdre Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $40 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2017 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Date Logged: 08/26/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery, poured by Kaz, during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/12/08. KVW: " Sure you know Cabs and other Bordeaux varietals are great for laying down but Mourvdre is also one of the great aging wines of France. It's a fun grape for sure... It's much like Zinfandel in that it can be made into something as rich as a port and as subtle as a ros. It does however have a more tannic edge and more earth and spice than a Zin. Our Moo has the nice high acids that say "lay me down" but damn it tastes good now too! No matter how you milk it, Moo is gonna please you with it's well balanced oak, blackberry and wild rice flavors. Pairing Suggestions: Give me a peppered steak and some horseradish! Stats: Barrels made = 14 Label by - Ryan Kaz" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42853 Name: Kaz Sonoma Valley Red Said Fred Winery: Kaz Vineyard & Winery Region: Sonoma Valley, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $44 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2013 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 FieldBlend Date Logged: 08/26/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery, poured by Kaz, during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/12/08. KVW: " This is a full bodied, yummy field blend with complex fruit. A rich Huckleberry pie in a bottle. If you liked or loved the 2003 vintage you'll be happy to know that this 2004 is so similar that even we are shocked. The only difference we can notice is that the 2004 may be the slightest bit richer in flavor. Pairing Suggestions: If you like big red wines with your big steaks, you've just found one. The fruity nose and robust body will balance well with a rich meat dish. Stats: Percentages = 40% Zin, 30% Cab, 18% Merlot & 12% Petite Sirah Alcohol = 13.7% Barrels made = 2 Grapes from: Sonoma Valley Label by - Ryan Kaz, a.k.a. Kaz Jr." On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42852 Name: Kaz Sonoma County Dudes Petit Sirah Winery: Kaz Vineyard & Winery Region: Sonoma County, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Petit Sirah Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $30 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2013 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 SingleVineyard Date Logged: 08/26/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery, poured by Kaz, during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/12/08. Cresci Vineyard On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42851 Name: Kaz Sonoma Valley Plunge Sangiovese Winery: Kaz Vineyard & Winery Region: Sonoma Valley, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Sangiovese Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $36 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2011 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 SingleVineyard Date Logged: 08/26/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery, poured by Kaz, during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/12/08. KVW: "Notes: Light and lively! Take the plunge. Pairing Suggestions: Chinese dishes with some heat are the best match. Stats: Alcohol = 13.8% Barrels made = 6 Grapes from: Ricci Vineyard - Sonoma Valley Label by - Ryan Kaz." WineLog ID: 42850 Name: Kaz Sonoma Valley Hooligan's Grenache Winery: Kaz Vineyard & Winery Region: Sonoma Valley, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Grenache Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $34 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2013 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 SingleVineyard Date Logged: 08/26/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery, poured by Kaz, during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/12/08. KVW: "Grenache is a great example of a fantastic grape that has been given a bad stigma. It was abused in the past to make cheap box wine. Since it is a lighter red color many started to believe it was a pink grape or only a red only used to make a blush. Poor old Grenache is just now seeing a revival. So if you see a wine bottle of red Grenache take a moment to read the notes and decide it you want to give it a chance. Though they are typically on the lighter side, there are plenty of mid to full bodied Grenache's in the world. This puppy is full of flavor capped by a tantalizing nose. Dig in and enjoy the raisins,currant and black cherry. Pairing Suggestions: Mediterranean, South Western and Mexican meals will do the trick. Stats: Alcohol = 13.4% Barrels made = 2 Grapes from: Annadel Estate Vineyard Label by - Ryan Kaz" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42849 Name: Kaz Lake County Trixie's Secret Nebbiolo Rosa Winery: Kaz Vineyard & Winery Region: Lake County, California Type: Blush Wine Variety: Nebbiolo Year/Vintage: 2007 Price: $20 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2009 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 SingleVineyard Date Logged: 08/26/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery, poured by Kaz, during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/12/08. KVW: "Notes: A Rose done the right way! Strawberry and Peach Jam will greet your nose and a tangy and dry juice will delight your tongue. Once again Kaz put his stamp on this already rare pink grape by keeping the wine unfiltered and fermenting on skin too! Pairing Suggestions: Serve chilled with any BBQ meal or alongside a plate of cheese and fruit. Stats: Alcohol = 13% Barrels made = 3 Grapes from: St. Olof Vineyard Nebbiolo - Lampia Clone Label by - The whole Kaz family." On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42847 Name: Chimney Rock Stags Leap District Alpine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Winery: Chimney Rock Winery Region: Stags Leap District, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Year/Vintage: 2005 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2023 Tags: dry Estate SingleVineyard Date Logged: 08/26/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Tasted 08/19/08. On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42846 Name: Chateau St. Jean Sonoma County Reserve Malbec Winery: Chateau St. Jean Region: Sonoma County, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot Year/Vintage: 2004 Price: $60 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2019 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Wine2.0 RadCru MargoVanStaaveren Date Logged: 08/26/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery as part of our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/12/08. This was a private Wine 2.0 event organized by Cornelius from RadCru.com. CSJ: "The Vineyards Chateau St. Jeans Reserve wines are crafted by selecting the vineyard lots from throughout Sonoma County that offer the most generous fruit expression and the ability to age. Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren has championed Malbec and believes the variety flourishes in Sonoma at selected sites. It has become one of her favorite wines to bottle as a varietal. This 2004 Reserve Malbec is the fourth vintage of a wine that epitomizes just how exotic this wine can be when grown in the right location. The Malbec for this wine comes from the Asti Vineyard located in northern Alexander Valley, adjacent to the western bank of the Russian River. This wine was blended with Cabernet Sauvignon from the Belle Terre Vineyard in the Alexander Valley and Petit Verdot from the St. Jean Estate Vineyard in Kenwood. Winemaking This Reserve wine consists of Malbec (92%) blended with Cabernet Sauvignon (4%) and Petit Verdot (4%). Individual lots of each varietal were aged separately for 30 months in small 100% French oak barrels (54% new). Barrel by barrel, each lot was tasted and the most outstanding Malbec barrels were selected and then blended with specific lots of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot to produce the final wine. Winetasting Comments Attractive aromas of black tea, lavender and hibiscus give this wine a truly inviting nose. Juicy and explosive upon entry, this Malbec is loaded with flavors of raspberry, mocha and milk chocolate. The wine has power and a solid mid-palate structure, yet the tannins are soft and round and lead to a lush finish. Harvest Date: Aug. 20-Oct. 13, 2004 Harvest Sugar: 25.0 Brix Total Acidity: 0.61 g/100 ml Alcohol: 14.7% by volume Bottled: March 2007 Release: February 2008 Case Production: 492 cases" WineLog ID: 42845 Name: Chateau St. Jean Sonoma County Reserve Merlot Winery: Chateau St. Jean Region: Sonoma County, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon Year/Vintage: 2003 Price: $90 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2025 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Wine2.0 RadCru MargoVanStaaveren Date Logged: 08/25/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery as part of our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/12/08. This was a private Wine 2.0 event organized by Cornelius from RadCru.com. CSJ: "The Vineyards Chateau St. Jeans Reserve wines are crafted by selecting the vineyard lots from throughout Sonoma County that offer the most generous fruit expression and the ability to age. Our estate vineyard in Kenwood comprises 47% of this blend. Located in the Sonoma Valley at the foot of Sugar Loaf Ridge, Chateau St. Jean is a 250-acre estate with 90 acres planted to wine grapes. Additional Merlot sourcing for this wine came from the Cornerstone Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. The Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the Belle Terre Vineyard in Alexander Valley and the Malbec from the Asti Vineyard in northern Alexander Valley. Winemaking This Reserve wine consists of Merlot (94%) blended with Malbec (4%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (2%). Individual lots of each varietal were aged separately for three years in small, 100% French oak barrels (100% new) from select coopers. The blend was then assembled, by tasting and selecting the most outstanding lots, and aged in barrels for one year. The wine spent an additional year in the bottle before release. Winetasting Comments Beautiful aromas of ripe blackberry, plum and cola lead into a rich, mouth-coating entry. Highly concentrated, structured and well balanced, this Merlots chewy tannins surround layers of wild berries, black tea and sweet baking spices that lead to a long, juicy finish. Harvest Date: Sept. 22-Oct. 28, 2003 Harvest Sugar: 26.2 Brix Total Acidity: 0.57 g/100 ml pH: 3.58 Alcohol: 14.6% by volume Bottled: March 2007 Released: March 2008 Case Production: 500 cases" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42832 Name: Chateau St. Jean Sonoma County Cinq Cpages Cabernet Sauvignon Winery: Chateau St. Jean Region: Sonoma County, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Year/Vintage: 2004 Price: $75 Wine Spectator: 87 Wine Advocate: 90 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2024 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Wine2.0 RadCru MargoVanStaaveren Flagship Date Logged: 08/25/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery as part of our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/12/08. This was a private Wine 2.0 event organized by Cornelius from RadCru.com. CSJ: "Winemakers Comments: "Inviting aromas of boysenberry and violet define the nose of this flagship Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon. A rich and dense entry begins with layers of black raspberry, mocha and hints of blueberry. The palate offers a graceful balance between fruit extract and fine-grained tannins. This deep, concentrated wine has a classic Cinq Cpages structure with beautiful oak integration and a lushness throughout that leads to a lingering finish." - Margo Van Staaveren, Winemaker Reviews Rated 90 pts. Displays an elegant, Bordeaux-like style ...Medium to full-bodied with soft, silky tannins, and a moderately long finish (Robert M. Parker, Jr.) The Wine Advocate - December 28, 2007 WINEMAKING Cinq Cpages ("Five Varieties") is a Bordeaux-style blend consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), Merlot (9%), Cabernet Franc (7%), Malbec (4%), and Petit Verdot (3%). Each component is aged separately for two years in small French oak barrels (47% new) before blending. Once the wine is assembled, it spends six months in the bottle before release." On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42831 Name: Chateau St. Jean Sonoma County Reserve Pinot Noir Winery: Chateau St. Jean Region: Sonoma County, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $60 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2013 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Wine2.0 RadCru MargoVanStaaveren Date Logged: 08/25/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery as part of our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/12/08. This was a private Wine 2.0 event organized by Cornelius from RadCru.com. CSJ: "Fruit from Durrell, Sangiocamo, and one other vineyard." On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42779 Name: Chimney Rock Stags Leap District Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon Winery: Chimney Rock Winery Region: Stags Leap District, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Year/Vintage: 2005 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2011 Drink By: 2025 Tags: dry Estate SingleVineyard Date Logged: 08/24/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted 08/19/08. On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42771 Name: Chimney Rock Stags Leap District Alpine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Winery: Chimney Rock Winery Region: Stags Leap District, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Year/Vintage: 2004 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2022 Tags: dry Estate SingleVineyard Date Logged: 08/23/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted 08/19/08. On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42747 Name: Chateau St. Jean Sonoma County Reserve Chardonnay Winery: Chateau St. Jean Region: Sonoma County, California Type: White Wine Variety: Chardonnay Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $45 Wine Spectator: 92 Wine Advocate: 92 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2007 Drink By: 2011 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Wine2.0 RadCru MargoVanStaaveren Estate Date Logged: 08/22/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery as part of our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/12/08. This was a private Wine 2.0 event organized by Cornelius from RadCru.com. CSJ: "The Vineyards Chateau St. Jeans Reserve wines are crafted by selecting the vineyard lots from throughout Sonoma County that offer the most generous fruit expression and the ability to age. The 2005 Sonoma County Reserve Chardonnay is our 9th vintage of this wine. For this blend, we selected fruit from the critically acclaimed Robert Young Vineyard (54%) and Belle Terre Vineyard (19%) in the Alexander Valley along with Durell Vineyard (16%) in Sonoma Valley and Cold Creek Vineyard (11%) in Carneros. The Winemaking Classic winemaking techniques such as sur lie aging for 17 months are used for this wine. Each lot is kept separate throughout the winemaking process and aged in 100% French oak (56% new). A barrel selection from each lot is made to craft the final blend. Only 66% of the final blend underwent malolactic fermentation as we tend to keep most of the Robert Young Chardonnay component a non-malolactic wine. Tasting Notes This medium-bodied Reserve Chardonnay opens with inviting aromas of lemon citrus, mango and fig. Unctuous notes of creamy lemon bar and papaya are layered with subtle hints of hazelnut and clove. The well-balanced acidity and complexity of flavors lead to a long finish with hints of vanilla and lemon oil. Reviews Rated 92 pts...a nice smoky, toasty oak edge...an exotic yet elegant mouthfeel... (James Laube) Wine Spectator - May 7, 2008 Harvest Date: Sept. 26-Oct. 2, 2005 Harvest Sugar: 24.4 Brix Total Acidity: 0.63 g/100 ml Alcohol: 14.4% by volume Bottled: April 2007 Release: April 2008 Case Production: 4,029 cases" WineLog ID: 42746 Name: Chateau St. Jean Sonoma Valley St. Jean Estate Vineyard Viognier Winery: Chateau St. Jean Region: Sonoma Valley, California Type: White Wine Variety: Viognier Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $30 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2011 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Wine2.0 RadCru MargoVanStaaveren SingleVineyard Estate Date Logged: 08/22/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery as part of our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/12/08. This was a private Wine 2.0 event organized by Cornelius from RadCru.com. CSJ: "The Vineyards Located in the Sonoma Valley at the foot of Sugar Loaf Ridge, Chateau St. Jean is a 250-acre estate with 90 acres planted to wine grapes. The St. Jean Estate vineyard includes a very small site planted to Viognier. This very limited wine is produced during those vintages that yield superior fruit. Winemaking After harvest, the grapes were very gently pressed and the majority of the juice (61%) was tank fermented to retain forward fruit flavors. The smaller portion of the blend (39%) was aged in small neutral French oak barrels. The intent of our Viognier is to allow the classic varietal fruit flavors to show through a framework of subtle oak. Winetasting Comments Fragrant aromas of white peach and nectarine begin the nose on this Sonoma Valley Viognier. A medium-bodied entry fills the mouth with lush flavors of honeysuckle, orange blossom and vanilla cream. With crisp acidity and subtle hints of spice, this Viognier offers a long, lingering finish. Harvest Date: September 15, 2006 Harvest Sugar: 26.9 Brix Total Acidity: 0.60 g/100 ml pH: 3.66 Alcohol: 15.4% by volume Bottled: August 2007 Released: February 2008 Case Production: 386 cases" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42745 Name: Chateau St. Jean Alexander Valley Lyon Vineyard Fum Blanc Winery: Chateau St. Jean Region: Alexander Valley, California Type: White Wine Variety: Sauvignon Blanc Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $20 Wine Spectator: 87 Wine Advocate: 91 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2010 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Wine2.0 RadCru MargoVanStaaveren SingleVineyard Date Logged: 08/22/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery as part of our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/12/08. This was a private Wine 2.0 event organized by Cornelius from RadCru.com. WineLog ID: 42744 Name: Chateau St. Jean Alexander Valley Robert Young Vineyard Pinot Blanc Winery: Chateau St. Jean Region: Alexander Valley, California Type: White Wine Variety: Pinot Blanc Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $22 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2010 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Wine2.0 RadCru MargoVanStaaveren SingleVineyard Date Logged: 08/22/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery as part of our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/12/08. This was a private Wine 2.0 event organized by Cornelius from RadCru.com. CSJ: "Luscious aromas of honeysuckle, peach and Crane melon burst on the nose of this classic Alexander Valley Pinot Blanc. The wine is well-structured and elegant, offering hints of sweet oak wrapped around a core of ripe pineapple, Bartlett pear and vanilla. The perfectly balanced acidity lifts the fruit flavors and leads to a long finish." On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42743 Name: Chimney Rock Stags Leap District Merlot Winery: Chimney Rock Winery Region: Stags Leap District, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Merlot Year/Vintage: 2002 Price: $45 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2018 Tags: dry Date Logged: 08/21/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Tasted 08/19/08. CRW: " The 2002 vintage gifted us with some of the best Merlot we’ve seen in our vineyards. We typically use this varietal only for blending however the 2002 was so great we couldn’t resist making this special bottle for our winery guests. This merlot is lush and round with layers upon layers of cherries and blackberries. We hope you’ll enjoy this delightful and rare wine!" WineLog ID: 42742 Name: Chimney Rock Stags Leap District Arete Cabernet Sauvignon Winery: Chimney Rock Winery Region: Stags Leap District, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Year/Vintage: 2003 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2018 Tags: dry SingleVineyard Estate Date Logged: 08/21/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted 08/19/08. On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42740 Name: Thornbury Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Winery: Thornbury Wines Region: Marlborough, New Zealand Type: Red Wine Variety: Sauvignon Blanc Year/Vintage: 2004 Price: $19 Wine Spectator: 87 Wine Enthusiast: 85 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2005 Drink By: 2008 Tags: JJbuckley.com Date Logged: 08/21/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Bought by the case for $3 a bottle from JJBuckley.com, 07/30/08 as a house white. TW: "Tasting Notes The immediate impression is a barrage of aromas that clearly indicate the wine can only come from Marlborough, New Zealand. The palate is full and fleshy with great length and sufficient acidity to give a clean crisp snap at the end. Winemakers Notes The fruit was 100% hand harvested and chilled as whole bunches to two degrees centigrade before desteming to the fermentation tanks. Cold soaking lasted about eight days followed by a relatively warm fermentation also about eight days in duration. A further five days of post ferment warm maceration was allowed prior to pressing. The wine was sent to barrel after a few days of settling and during the barrel maturation two rackings were performed to assist with clarification. The 2004 vintage was just great even though we didnt get the hot January we are used to! Summer ran on late into the season giving us the heat and sunlight required to fully ripen the grapes and give us the all important physiological ripeness. We had plenty of fruit but the quality was right up there giving us one of the best Sauvignons we have ever made. Cellaring 4 years Technical Details Alcohol: 13 % | pH: 3.35 | Residual Sugar: 3.5g/l | Total Acidity: 7.8g/l" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42704 Name: Sebastiani Hames Valley Adagio Port Winery: Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery Region: Hames Valley, California Type: Dessert Wine Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $28 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2010 Drink By: 2025 Tags: 4thPSWT2008 sweet Date Logged: 08/18/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/11/08. On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42703 Name: Sebastiani Sonoma County Proprietor's Wine Selection Secolo Winery: Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery Region: Sonoma County, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Malbec Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $30 Wine Spectator: 87 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2009 Drink By: 2020 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 meritage Date Logged: 08/18/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/11/08. SVW: " The Vineyard Meaning century in Italian, Secolo is a Bordeaux-style blended red wine. This wine showcases some of the best vineyard lots for Bordeaux varietals in Sonoma County. Each year, the blend and vineyard composition changes in order to achieve the style for which this wine has become known: aromatic, ripe and rich yet elegant. 2005 was a cooler, longer vintage for Sonoma County, allowing lots of hang time for the grapes. We blended Cabernet Sauvignon from the banana belt vineyard sites (Harp in Sonoma Valley, Lyon Vineyard in Alexander Valley) in order to achieve full ripeness in a cooler vintage. Merlot was mainly from Alexander Valley, which is a very important ingredient to use in cooler vintages, as is the case in the Medoc. The Malbec and Petite Verdot were from both Valleys and were also essential for the final blend. The Vintage The 2005 vintage got off to a late start with later bud break for Red Bordeaux varieties. However, spring temperatures were normal, allowing a good fruit set. Summer was mild to moderate without any heat waves. August was foggy and cool, setting the stage for larger cluster development. By the time harvest started, facing high yields, we crop thinned the Cabernet and Merlot in the Lyon vineyard. Indian Summer kicked in mid October, and we were able to pick ripe, Alexander Valley Merlot starting October 21st, followed by Petite Verdot and Malbec. Cabernet Sauvignon didnt commence until the last week in October at Harp, finishing out with the Lyon vineyard through November 8 th . We were also fortunate to have few rains, the extra hang time giving us more depth and ripeness than is typical of the vintage. Because of the cooler, longer vintage, the wine is darker in color, with haunting, complex aromatics more akin to a great Medoc. Winemaking All lots were crushed and de-stemmed and underwent a warm, brisk fermentation to aid in color and flavor extraction. We only used the free run portions of the Cabernet, and it was pressed off at approximately 5 brix to manage the extremely high tannin levels. The lots were racked into mainly new and one-year-old French Oak barrels. Initial assemblage occurred the following Spring with the final assemblage occurring in late Summer. It was bottled in June of 2006. Winemakers Notes All lots were crushed and de-stemmed. However, we did more cold soaking with some pectic enzymes to liberate more color early on. Generally, cooler vintages for Bordeaux varieties need more coaxing out of color with this treatment and warmer fermentation temperatures, which was our critical vintage adjustment. The lots were then racked into mainly new and one-year-old French and Hungarian Oak barrels. A protein fining was done on the tannic lots in January thru March in order to selectively remove tannin and not color, nor aromatics. Initial assemblage occurred the following Spring with the final assemblage occurring in late Summer, 2006, as is classically done in the Medoc . After aging in barrels for 14 months, it was bottled in August of 2007. Mark R. Lyon, Winemaker Technical Data Appellation: Sonoma County Composition: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon; 18% Merlot; 4% Petite Verdot; 3% Malbec" WineLog ID: 42702 Name: Sebastiani Alexander Valley Appellation Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Winery: Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery Region: Alexander Valley, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot; Petite Verdot; Malbec Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $30 Wine Spectator: 87 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2015 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Date Logged: 08/18/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/11/08. SVW: "The Vineyards Just over half of the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes came from the Lyon Vineyard, combining grapes from a 34 year old block on sandy loam soils with younger blocks planted on gravelly soils with Clones #4, #6, and #337. The remaining Cabernet grapes came from the Rancho Miguel Vineyard, comprised of Clone #7. The Malbec and Merlot comes from Lyon Vineyard, with the Petite Verdot from Ranch Miguel Vineyard. The Lyon Vineyard is in Northern Alexander Valley, marked by significant changes in day to night temperatures and little influence from coastal fog. The Rancho Miguel Vineyard is in the central portion of Alexander Valley, where the weather is moderately hot and perfect for Bordeaux grapes. Both of our vineyard sources are adjacent to the Russian River, and are planted on soils similar to those found in Pauillac, Margaux and St. Julien in Bordeaux. The Vintage The 2005 vintage got off to a late start, delaying bud break for the red Bordeaux varieties. However, spring temperatures were normal, allowing a good fruit set. Summer was mild to moderate without any heat waves. August was foggy and cool, setting the stage for large cluster development. Facing high yields at the start of harvest, we crop thinned the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Lyon Vineyard. An Indian summer started in mid October, and we were able to pick Alexander Valley Merlot starting October 21st, followed by Petite Verdot and Malbec. We waited until the last week in October to harvest the Cabernet Sauvignon at Rancho Miguel, finishing out with the Lyon vineyard through November 8 th . We were also fortunate to have little rain, and the extra hang time gave us more depth and ripeness. Because of the cooler, longer vintage, the wine is darker in color, yet has a soft palate and tannin structure. Click Here to Download Printer-Friendly Version. Winemaking We cold soaked both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, leading to a slow fermentation in the beginning. We warmed up the must mid-fermentation in order to fully extract color and flavor. The wine was pressed off of the skins before fermentation was complete, but only free run and light press fractions were used. The lots were racked once, then re-racked into both new and 1-year-old Tonnellerie Treuil French Chateau oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation was completed in barrels and assemblage took place in early Spring of 2006 using Merlot at this stage. We re-blended the wine 4 months later using Petite Verdot and Malbec, at which point the wine was aged in 1-year-old French barrels, along with 20% New Grand Cru Canton American Oak barrels. Winemaker's Notes This offering of Alexander Valley Cabernet is silkier and aromatically inclined than other vintages, yet shows good texture and depth. It has the herbal, dried leaves aroma typical of the region but with medleys of black cherry, raspberry and blackberry fruit. It finishes soft, with complex, earthy flavors. This wine is a joy to drink now, but will become more multifaceted and elegant with additional bottle age. Mark R. Lyon, Winemaker Technical Data Appellation: Alexander Valley Composition: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon 11% Merlot; 3.5% Petite Verdot; 8.5%Malbec Cooperage: 12 months in mostly French, some American and Hungarian oak Alcohol: 14.3% TA: 0.54 g/100ml pH: 3.62 Bottling Date: May 2007 Release Date: October 2007" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42701 Name: Sebastiani Sonoma Valley Appellation Selection Barbera Winery: Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery Region: Sonoma Valley, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Barbera, Petite Sirah Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $26 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2013 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Estate SingleVineyard Date Logged: 08/18/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/11/08. SVW: " The Vineyards Barbera has long been a tradition in Sebastiani winemaking. August Sebastiani produced the first Barbera from Sonoma County in 1962; it was one of his favorite wines. Thanks to his pioneering efforts, weve amassed over 40 years of winemaking experience with Barbera in California and discovered that the best site for growing this grape is in the warmer, mid-Sonoma Valley region with its terra rosa soils. Therefore, we sourced our Barbera grapes from the Bedrock Vineyard (formerly Madrone) in the Sonoma Valley, a site with this ideal terroir. The Vineyards: The 2006 vintage was a cooler-than-average vintage. The extended maturation and lower yields gave us a Barbera with more depth of blackcherry fruit than in the past. We held out until it was completely ripe at 27.4 Brix, all necessary to reduce acidity and green tannins. Fortunately, we had little rain and a mild warm spell in October. We harvested the grapes October 25 th . Winemaking After initial fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine was racked into mostly new Hungarian oak, 2-year-old American oak barrels and 1 to 2-year-old French oak barrels. In early spring, we racked it out of barrels and blended 8% Petite Sirah and continued to age the wine for a total of 8 months in barrels, prior to bottling, which was August, 2007. Overall, we are shortening up the aging regime and raising the percentage of Barbera in order to showcase true varietal flavors that are less influenced by both oak and other red grapes. Winemaker's Notes: Intense purple is the best way to describe the vibrant color of this wine. The aroma is filled with anise and black cherries and has hints of vanilla and roasted coffee from the oak regime. The flavor echoes the nose with rich, concentrated raspberry and black cherry fruit flavors from a low yielding Barbera vintage. The wine has a soft finish with lingering licorice flavors. By far, our most concentrated Barbera to date! This wine could age and improve for another 15 years. Try it with Osso Bucco, your favorite red sauced pastas, veal, and of course, pizza! Mark R. Lyon, Winemaker Technical Data Appellation: Sonoma Valley Composition: 92% Barbera, 8% Petite Sirah Cooperage: 8 months in French, American & Hungarian oak Alcohol: 14.5% TA: 0.52 g/100ml pH: 3.62 Bottling Date: August 2007 Release Date: June 2008" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42699 Name: Sebastiani Russian River Valley Unoaked Appellation Selection Chardonnay Winery: Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery Region: Russian River Valley, California Type: White Wine Variety: Chardonnay Year/Vintage: 2007 Price: $18 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2010 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Date Logged: 08/18/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/11/08. SVW: "An unoaked Chardonnay shows nothing but pure varietal character without any oak attributes to mask the fruit’s qualities and nuances. Knowing this, we chose grapes from the Gerbeth-Hotchkiss Block, in the Russian River Valley, where coastal fog blankets the vineyards from dusk until dawn and warm afternoons slowly ripen the fruit for maximum flavor development. This block contains clones 15 and 96. Clone 15, planted on the top of a north facing slope, is known for its low yields and tropical fruit flavors. Clone 96, planted just below, is from Dijon, France, and is a favorite of winemakers due to its characteristic minerality and refined structure. The best attributes of each clone create a wonderful example of a pure varietal Chardonnay! The Vintage: In 2007 we had a split harvest vintage. Initially, there were warm constant temperatures which spurred on early ripening varieties such as Chardonnay. The steady warm temperatures secured a healthy fruit set and developed fruit maturity evenly across differing vineyard locales. A cool stretch then slowed ripening and allowed a break from harvesting. As a result, the grapes were picked in small lots starting on September 20 and ending October 4th. The yields were consistent with averages, and were very high quality. Click Here for Printer Friendly Version New Release! Winemaking The grapes were hand-harvested and whole-cluster pressed in small lots. A particular strain of yeast was used that accentuates fresh fruit flavors and creates a full, plush mouth feel without barrel fermentation. This wine retained most of its malic acid; we elected not to allow full malolactic fermentation because of the lower native acidity in the fruit this year. Winemaker's Notes This wine has a beautiful lightly golden color. The cool maritime growing region helped concentrate flavors while providing ripe flavors characteristic of a well balanced vintage in a premier viticulture region. The acid acts as the backbone and is fleshed out by a soft body of golden delicious apples, apricots and hints of mineral. Although elegant enough to be enjoyed alone, this wine shines when paired with roasted chicken, seared scallops or niçoise salad. Mark R. Lyon, Winemaker Technical Data Appellation: Gerbeth Block, Dutton Ranch, Russian River Valley , Sonoma County Composition: 100% Chardonnay, Clones 15 and 96 ( Dijon ) Barrel Aging: None. Alcohol: 14.25% TA: 0.49 g/100ml pH: 3.32 Bottling Date: April 2008 Release Date: June 2008" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42698 Name: Buena Vista Carneros Estate Vineyard Series Ramal Vineyard Syrah Winery: Buena Vista Carneros Region: Carneros, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Syrah Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $45 Wine Enthusiast: 90 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2015 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Estate SingleVineyard Date Logged: 08/18/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/11/08. BVC: "Grape Source As we celebrate our 150th year as Californias first premium winery, the focus of Buena Vista Carneros continues to turn to our remarkable 1000-acre Ramal Vineyard in the heart of Carneros. Set along a south-facing hillside overlooking the San Pablo Bay, this breathtaking property has more than 167 blocks delineated by geology and topography. Produced in limited quantities, each Ramal Vineyard wine reflects the complex interplay between grape, terroir and the seasonal weather patterns of vintage. Vintage The weather during the 2005 growing season was refreshingly normal. Some light spring rains narrowly missed Carneros, allowing the vines to set a healthy crop. With yields running slightly higher than average, crop thinning and a green harvest balanced the crop load and maximized fruit quality. A cool September allowed for extended hang time and the grapes were ultimately picked during the third week of October. This vintage will be remembered for wines possessing a combination of concentration and elegance. Winemaking After harvest the grapes were hand sorted and de-stemmed, then transferred to stainless steel tanks for a 5-day cold soak prior to fermentation. Fermentation took place in small open-top fermentors with three punch downs per day plus daily delestage (drain and return) to broaden the texture and complexity of the wine. After fermentation, the wine was matured 13- months in new French oak barrels (44%) and previously used French and American oak barrels before blending and bottling in February of 2007. Winemaker's Notes This wine is very complex and an elegant expression of cool climate Syrah in which the gamey side of Syrah is balanced by fresh fruit flavors and a food-friendly level of acidity. The aromas are deep and layered, with notes of blueberry, blackberry, mocha, spice and licorice. It has rich plum, blueberry and white pepper flavors and mouthfilling tannins with a long finish. The wines unique composition includes a blend of Estrella River selection, Clone 174 and Clone 877. Enjoy with filet mignon or beef tenderloin, and savory wild mushroom soup. Appellation: Carneros Composition: 100% Syrah Winemaker: Jeff Stewart Acid/pH: 0.56/3.63 Residual Sugar: Alcohol: 14.5% Case Production: 1000 Bottled: Released: September 2007" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42697 Name: Buena Vista Carneros Estate Vineyard Series Ramal Vineyard Pinot Noir Winery: Buena Vista Carneros Region: Carneros, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $42 Wine Spectator: 86 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2013 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Estate SingleVineyard Date Logged: 08/18/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/11/08. BVC: "Grape Source The focus of the Buena Vista Estate Vineyard Series is our remarkable 1000-acre Estate vineyard in the heart of Carneros. Set along a south-facing hillside overlooking the San Francisco Bay, this breathtaking property has more than 100 blocks delineated by geology and topography. Vintage The 2005 growing season started with a wet spring followed by a cool summer, leading to a long, dry, and cooler than normal fall. Conditions on our estate where we grow our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were ideal for producing a healthy balanced crop. Harvest was long, requiring a lot of patience, as we waited for our fruit to ripen to optimal maturity. The quality of the Pinot Noir was very good to outstanding. Winemaking The grapes were hand harvested at night off of our Ramal Vineyard Estate between September 7 October 4, 2005, hand sorted and de-stemmed. Each lot was cold soaked for five eight days to maximize color and flavor extraction. Fermentation took place in five and seven ton open-top fermentors and punched down three times a day to broaden the texture and complexity of the wine. After an average of 14 days on skins, the wine was aged in French oak barrels (55% new, balance of one-four year old) for 8 months. The coopers were Francois Frres, Rousseau, Remond, Mercurey, Demptos, Dargaud & Jaegle. Winemaker's Notes The pedigree of the site and quality of the vintage are clearly in evidence here. The color is deep purple with aromas of blueberry, violet, chocolate, clove and anise, subtle earth and forest floor. The flavors of rich raspberry, crme de cassis, plum and candied ginger lead into a long finish with bright acidity and silky tannins. The 2005 Ramal Vineyard Pinot Noir shows concentration, elegance and the subtle nuance of diverse clonal and site selection. Pair this rich Pinot Noir with beef tenderloin and sauted spinach. Appellation: Carneros Composition: Pinot Noir 100% Winemaker: Jeff Stewart Acid/pH: 0.54/3.59 Residual Sugar: Alcohol: 14.5% Case Production: 2385 Bottled: August 2005 Released: March 2006" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42696 Name: Buena Vista Carneros Estate Vineyard Series Ramal Vineyard Pinot Noir Winery: Buena Vista Carneros Region: Carneros, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2004 Price: $42 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2012 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Estate SingleVineyard Date Logged: 08/18/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/11/08. BVC: "Grape Source The focus of the Buena Vista Estate Vineyard Series is our remarkable 1000-acre Estate vineyard in the heart of Carneros. Set along a south-facing hillside overlooking the San Francisco Bay, this breathtaking property has more than 100 blocks delineated by geology and topography. Vintage An early budbreak beginning the first week of March and warm spring weather led to a growing season unlike any in recent memory. Rare temperatures hovering in the 80s in March and April kicked off the growing season 3 weeks earlier than normal. The dry and warm weather continued into July, when we saw heat spikes in the high 90s. Our earliest harvest in memory began in mid August with Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir on August 23, and Chardonnay on September 1. Syrah and Merlot were picked beginning September 20, with all our grapes in by the end of September! Quality was very good to outstanding. Winemaking The grapes were hand harvested on September 17, 2004, hand sorted and de-stemmed. Each lot was cold soaked for five eight days to maximize color and flavor extraction. Fermentation took place in five ton open-top fermenters and punched down three times a day to broaden the texture and complexity of the wine. After an average of 14 days on skins, the wine was aged in French oak barrels (44% new) for 10 months. The coopers were Francois Freres, Rousseau, Remond, Mercurey, Demptos, Dargaud & Jaegle. Winemaker's Notes The pedigree of the site and quality of the vintage are clearly in evidence here. The color is deep purple with aromas of blackberry, violet, clove and anise, subtle earth and forest floor. There is mocha in the background, continuing with flavors of rich raspberry, crme de cassis, plum and candied ginger. The wine has a long finish with rich tannins. The 2004 Ramal Vineyard Pinot Noir shows concentration and elegance and provides a great glimpse of the quality coming from the Buena Vista estate property. Appellation: Carneros Composition: Pinot Noir 100% Winemaker: Jeff Stewart Acid/pH: 0.54/3.59 Residual Sugar: Alcohol: 14.5% Case Production: 2385 Bottled: August 2005 Released: March 2006" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42695 Name: Buena Vista Carneros Estate Vineyard Series Ramal Vineyard Clone 5 Pommard Pinot Noir Winery: Buena Vista Carneros Region: Carneros, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $42 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2012 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Estate SingleVineyard Date Logged: 08/18/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/11/08. BVC: "Grape Source The focus of the Buena Vista Estate Vineyard Series is our remarkable 1000-acre Estate vineyard in the heart of Carneros. Set along a south-facing hillside overlooking the San Francisco Bay, this breathtaking property has more than 100 blocks delineated by geology and topography. Vintage The 2005 growing season started with a wet spring followed by a cool summer, leading to a long, dry, and cooler than normal fall. Conditions on our estate where we grow our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were ideal for producing a healthy balanced crop. Harvest was long, requiring a lot of patience, as we waited for our fruit to ripen to optimal maturity. The quality of the Pinot Noir was very good to outstanding. Winemaking The grapes were hand harvested at night off of our Ramal Vineyard Estate on September 10 and September 30, 2005, hand sorted and de-stemmed. Each lot was cold soaked for eight days to maximize color and flavor extraction. Fermentation took place in five ton open-top fermentors and tanks were punched down three times a day to broaden the texture and complexity of the wine. After an average of 14 days on skins, the wine was aged in French oak barrels (40% new, balance of one-four year old) for 8 months. The coopers were Remond, Demptos, Francois Frres. Winemaker's Notes Our EVS clonal wines give us the opportunity to showcase individual clones or blocks that perform exceptionally well in any given vintage. In 2005 the Pommard clone of Pinot stood out for its depth of color and fruit intensity. The wine is ripe and explosive with red cherry, black plum, clove and jasmine. The palate is soft and generous with opulent red and black fruit with forest floor nuance. Try this silky Pinot Noir with oven roasted pork tenderloin with cherry reduction. Appellation: Carneros Composition: Pinot Noir 100% Winemaker: Jeff Stewart Acid/pH: 0.55/3.68 Residual Sugar: Alcohol: 14.3% Case Production: 1004 Bottled: August 2006 Released: March 2007" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42694 Name: Buena Vista Carneros Estate Vineyard Series Ramal Vineyard Clone 828 Pinot Noir Winery: Buena Vista Carneros Region: Carneros, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Pinot Noir Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $42 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2012 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Estate SingleVineyard Date Logged: 08/18/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/11/08. BVC: "Grape Source As we celebrate our 150th year as Californias first premium winery, the focus of Buena Vista Carneros continues to turn to our remarkable 1000-acre Estate vineyard in the heart of Carneros. Set along a south-facing hillside overlooking the San Pablo Bay, this breathtaking property has more than 167 blocks delineated by geology and topography. Produced in limited quantities, each EVS wine reflects the complex interplay between grape, terroir and the seasonal weather patterns of vintage. Vintage The 2005 growing season started with a wet spring followed by a cool summer, leading to a long, dry, and cooler than normal fall. Conditions on our estate where we grow our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were ideal for producing a healthy balanced crop. Harvest was long, requiring a lot of patience, as we waited for our fruit to ripen to optimal maturity. The quality of the Pinot Noir was very good to outstanding. Winemaking The grapes were hand harvested at night off the Buena Vista Carneros estate between September 28 October 1, 2005, hand sorted and de-stemmed. Each lot was cold soaked for five eight days to maximize color and flavor extraction. Fermentation took place in five ton open-top fermentors and punched down three times a day to broaden the texture and complexity of the wine. After an average of 14 days on skins, the wine was aged in French oak barrels (30% new, balance of one-four year old) for 8 months. The coopers were Francois Frres, Rousseau, Marcel Cadet. Winemaker's Notes Our EVS clonal wines give us the opportunity to showcase individual clones or blocks that perform exceptionally well in any given vintage. In 2005 the Dijon 828 clone of Pinot stood out for its distinct fruit intensity. The color is deep purple with aromas of bright red fruits, pomegranate, cardomom and subtle toast. The mouth is driven by flavors of raspberry, sweet cherry and candied ginger. The finish is long and delicate with bright acidity. The 2005 Clone 828 Pinot Noir shows the elegance and focused red fruits that set this clonal selection apart. Try this rich Pinot Noir with roasted duck breasts with shaved black truffles. Appellation: Carneros Composition: Pinot Noir 100% / Clone Dijon 828 Winemaker: Jeff Stewart Acid/pH: 0.51/3.63 Residual Sugar: Alcohol: 14.2% Case Production: 915 Bottled: August 15, 2006 Released: March 2006" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42693 Name: Buena Vista Carneros Estate Vineyard Series Ramal Vineyard Clone 17 RY Chardonnay Winery: Buena Vista Carneros Region: Carneros, California Type: White Wine Variety: Chardonnay Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $36 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2009 Drink By: 2011 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Estate SingleVineyard Date Logged: 08/18/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/11/08. BVC: "Grape Source Grapes for the Estate Vineyard Series are sourced from our remarkable 100-acre Estate vineyard in the heart of Carneros. Set along a south-facing hillside overlooking the San Francisco Bay, this breathtaking property has more than 100 blocks delineated by geology and topography. Vintage Our estate is perfectly situated for the morning maritime influence of the San Pablo Bay and the late afternoon cooling winds channeling from the Petaluma wind gap. The 2005 growing season started with a wet spring followed by a cool summer, leading to a long, dry, and cooler than normal fall. Conditions on our estate where we grow our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were ideal for producing a healthy balanced crop. Harvest was long, requiring a lot of patience, as we waited for our fruit to ripen to optimal maturity. The quality of the Chardonnay was very good to outstanding. Winemaking The grapes were hand harvested at night off of our Ramal Vineyard Estate September 22 and September 27, 2005 and whole cluster pressed. The wine was 100% barrel fermented, aged sur lies with the lees stirred every two weeks for 6 months. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in 100% French oak barrels (32% new Dargaud et Jaegle, balance of one-four year old) and remained in barrel for eight months. Winemaker's Notes This 2005 Chardonnay exhibits aromas of baked apple, pineapple, spice, nutmeg, roasted nut and caramel, continuing with rich flavors of broad apple and pear with a creamy mouthfeel. Chardonnay Clone 17 Robert Young grown in the cool climate of Carneros produces a wine that shows exceptional fruit intensity while maintaining great acid balance. Try this wine with a poached salmon in a beurre blanc sauce. Appellation: Carneros Composition: 100% Chardonnay Winemaker: Jeff Stewart Acid/pH: 0.54/3.40 Residual Sugar: Alcohol: 14.3% Case Production: 884 Bottled: August 2006 Released: March 2007" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42692 Name: Buena Vista Carneros Estate Vineyard Series Ramal Vineyard Dijon Clones Chardonnay Winery: Buena Vista Carneros Region: Carneros, California Type: White Wine Variety: Chardonnay Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $36 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2009 Drink By: 2011 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Estate SingleVineyard Buena Vista Carneros chardonnay 03” Date Logged: 08/18/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/11/08. On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42691 Name: Buena Vista Carneros Estate Vineyard Series Ramal Vineyard Dijon Clones Chardonnay Winery: Buena Vista Carneros Region: Carneros, California Type: White Wine Variety: Chardonnay Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $36 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2010 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Estate SingleVineyard Date Logged: 08/18/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/11/08. BVC: "Grape Source Grapes for the Estate Vineyard Series are sourced from our remarkable 100-acre Estate vineyard in the heart of Carneros. Set along a south-facing hillside overlooking the San Francisco Bay, this breathtaking property has more than 100 blocks delineated by geology and topography. Vintage Our estate is perfectly situated for the morning maritime influence of the San Pablo Bay and the late afternoon cooling winds channeling from the Petaluma wind gap. The 2005 growing season started with a wet spring followed by a cool summer, leading to a long, dry, and cooler than normal fall. Conditions on our estate where we grow our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were ideal for producing a healthy balanced crop. Harvest was long, requiring a lot of patience, as we waited for our fruit to ripen to optimal maturity. The quality of the fruit was very good to outstanding. Winemaking As we celebrate our 150th year as Californias first premium winery, the focus of Buena Vista Carneros continues to turn to our remarkable 1000-acre Estate vineyard in the heart of Carneros. Set along a south-facing hillside overlooking the San Pablo Bay, this breathtaking property has more than 167 blocks delineated by geology and topography. Produced in limited quantities, each EVS wine reflects the complex interplay between grape, terroir and the seasonal weather patterns of the vintage. The grapes were hand harvested at night off of our Ramal Vineyard Estate on October 6-7, 2005 and whole cluster pressed. The wine was 100% barrel fermented, aged sur lie with the lees stirred every two weeks for 6 months. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in Dargaud et Jaegle, Cadus and Francois Frres French oak barrels (37% new, balance of one-four year old) and remained in barrel for eight months. Winemaker's Notes Our EVS clonal wines give us the opportunity to showcase individual clones or blocks that perform exceptionally well in any given vintage. This wine exhibits aromas of steely minerality, lemon drop, clove, pear aromas and subtle matchstick. The 2005 Dijon Clones Chardonnay continues with rich flavors of oily bright citrus, focused peach, mandarin orange and candied ginger. Try this wine with rich pasta and seafood dishes. Appellation: Carneros Composition: 100% Chardonnay Winemaker: Jeff Stewart Acid/pH: 0.49/3.59 Residual Sugar: Alcohol: 14.2% Case Production: 657 Bottled: August 16, 2006 Released: March 2007" On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42690 Name: Viansa Sonoma County Arneis Winery: Viansa Winery Region: Sonoma County, California Type: White Wine Variety: Arneis Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $23 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2007 Drink By: 2009 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Date Logged: 08/17/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/11/08. WineLog ID: 42689 Name: Viansa Sonoma Valley Riserva Anatra Bianco Winery: Viansa Winery Region: Sonoma Valley, California Type: White Wine Variety: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Muscat Cane Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $24 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2007 Drink By: 2009 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Date Logged: 08/17/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/11/08. VW:"Our 2005 Anatra Bianco has flavors of apple, honeysuckle with a hint of pear. We blended Chardonnay (55%), Sauvignon Blanc (20%), Viognier (14%), Pinot Grigio (5%), Muscat Canelli (5%) and Pinot Blanc (1%). Our Riserva wines symbolize our love for the grape and a family tradition of preserving our natural environment and its inhabitants. Wine Profile: Vintage: 2005 Wine Type: White Wine Varietal: White Blend Appellation: Sonoma Valley PH: 3.65 Alcohol %: 13.9 Awards: 2007 Bronze Medals: Orange County Fair Winemaker Notes: Cellar at temperatures between 55-65, enjoy now or cellar up to 1 year! Food Pairing: Our Anatra Bianco pairs well with Shrimp with pasta in a cream sauce, Veal & Roast pork." WineLog ID: 42688 Name: Cline Los Carneros Estate Syrah Winery: Cline Cellars Region: Carneros, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Syrah Year/Vintage: 2005 Price: $28 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2007 Drink By: 2013 Tags: dry 4thPSWT2008 Estate Date Logged: 08/17/2008 My Rating: 4 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/11/08. CC:" Clines finest Syrah offering. One of the last blocks to ripen, this fruit was handpicked from our 18-acre hillside estate vineyard in Sonomas cool-climate Carneros district. Meticulously cared for in both the vineyard and winery to achieve the desired amount of fruit, color and tannin, our Los Carneros Syrah displays deep plum and cherry notes with hints of vanilla and coffee. Aged in French oak, this wine has concentrated flavors and moderate tannins enabling it to age for a minimum of five to seven years. Wine Profile: Vintage: 2005 Wine Type: Red Wine Varietal: Syrah Appellation: Carneros Harvest Date: October 11 Acid: 0.66g/100ml PH: 4.07 Residual Sugar: .20% Alcohol %: 15.0% Vineyard Notes: Our Los Carneros Syrah is grown on a hillside in our Sonoma Carneros estate vineyard. The combination of foggy mornings, warm afternoons and cool evenings make this region one of the most highly regarded in California. These growing conditions translate into a Syrah that has a deep concentration of fresh blueberry fruit, dark color and supple tannins. Production Notes: Our hillside Syrah is one of our last vineyards to be harvested each year. The grapes were handpicked and de-stemmed without crushing and pumped to our fermenting tanks. The must was cooled and within 24 hours, cultured wine yeast was added. The wine was pumped-over three times a day to maximize fruit and color extraction. Fermentation was kept at moderate temperatures and the must was pressed shortly after the wine had gone dry. The wine was racked once and then moved on to French oak for aging. Winemaker Notes: Dark, rich and extremely flavorful, this wine offers deep plum and cherry notes accented with aromas and flavors of vanilla and coffee. The combination of tannin, acid, fruit and great mouth feel come together to create a balanced and robust wine. Food Pairing: The range and complexity of this wine pairs well with simple rustic, country fare and more elegant dishes such as grilled lamb and mustard-glazed pork loin." On Wishlist? Yes WineLog ID: 42687 Name: Cline Sonoma Coast Cool Climate Estate Syrah Winery: Cline Cellars Region: Sonoma Coast, California Type: Red Wine Variety: Syrah Year/Vintage: 2006 Price: $16 Bottle Size: 750ml When to Drink: 2008 Drink By: 2014 UPC: 098652600020 Tags: 4thPSWT2008 Estate Date Logged: 08/17/2008 My Rating: 3 Stars My Notes: Tasted at the winery during our Pops & Son 4th Wine Trip, 07/11/08. CC:" Long associated with the northern Rhne Valley of France, Syrah has been used for centuries to produce some of the worlds finest wines. Our Cool Climate Syrah is no exception. Primarily from our Lazy C ranch in the Sonoma Coast appellation, the growing season is extended, maximizing intensity of color and cool-climate flavors of fresh blueberries and black pepper. Wine Profile: Vintage: 2006 Wine Type: Red Wine Varietal: Syrah Appellation: Sonoma Coast Harvest Date: October 27-30 Acid: 0.72g/100ml PH: 3.95 Aging: 10 months Bottling Date: March, 2008 Residual Sugar: .26% Alcohol %: 14.0% Vineyard Notes: The grapes for our Cool Climate Syrah come from our vineyard that lies in the Petaluma Gap at the southern end of the Sonoma Coast Appellation. This Syrah produces wine that is exceptionally rich in blueberry character with dee