BEST OF CLASS California Appellation
2009 California State Fair Wine Competition
This wine has beautiful deep ruby color that shows perfect clarity. Dark and dusky mixed berries lead the charge, giving way to raspberry, cherry, soft spice, earthen oak and a hint smoky meat and the most delicate eucalyptus. The taste is brightly exciting and delicious with a big smoky juiciness. Flavors of bright red cherry, blackberry, blueberry, soft spice and black pepper with the mild earthen components of a cigar box. The finish is long, bright and lush, the flavors morph and change as they gently tail off – ultimately finishing dry and slightly smoky.
The 2005 growing season was an excellent year for vintners. Record breaking crop yields and high quality grapes made outstanding wines from all over California without sacrificing quality. Harvest came a little later than normal due to a long, cool growing season. Fall brought a supply of heat and sunshine which pushed the berries to maturity but allowed the fruit an extended hang time. This offers great flavor development in the berries.
Cabernet Franc Sierra Foothills 60%
Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 40%
The Cabernet Franc produces a lighter style wine, especially when it’s grown in a warmer area like the Sierra Foothills. The well drained, granitic soils make this area prime Cab Franc country. The Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in the Aetna Springs area of Napa Valley. This area is known for its warmer summers that really help to soften the grape skins and intensify the Cabernet flavors. The oak barrel program consisted of 40% new French oak barrels (Marchive, center of France, medium toast). It was bottled in May of 2008 after almost two and a half years in the barrel.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
96 Point Vintage
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
94 Points
Opulent dark fruited with blackberry and ironstone mineral character, blue fruit notes, and violets with crushed cocoa nibs nuances and a long dark chocolate and mineral-scented finish. Ultra delicious and quite lengthy.
95 Points
This stellar Napa Valley Red Blend marries lush plum and cherry with Malbec's dark berry depth and Petit Verdot's structure and spice. Layered with notes of blackberry, violet, and cocoa, this silky wine finishes with smooth tannins and a whisper of toasted oak. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
98 Points
Deep purple hue and an alluring aromatic profile of fresh blue fruits and delicate violets. On the palate, it delivers a seamless and layered texture, framed by supple, polished tannins and a refined sense of balance. Elegantly structured, it offers remarkable purity and finesse, finishing with graceful length and poise.
94 Points
Deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of fresh black currants, kirsch, and mulberries... Full-bodied, the palate delivers a firm line of grainy tannins with bold freshness to frame the muscular black fruit, finishing long and cedary.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
