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Fall 2011 Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon, Big Ranch Road Vineyard, Napa, CALocated in Napa Valley’s prized Oak Knoll district, we were initially drawn to this vineyard and AVA because of its comparison to the Pomerol wine region of Bordeaux. Formerly a prune orchard, the soil is rich, deep and loamy, contributing to seriously lush Cabernet Sauvignons. Big Ranch Road grapes provide the perfect canvas for the aspiring "Garagiste." Sophisticated balanced notes of cassis and blackberry, nuanced tobacco, and an herbaceous quality can be characteristic of these wines, making them both very approachable and ageworthy. |
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Cabernet Sauvignon, Atwood Ranch, Sonoma, CALocated in Sonoma’s Glen Ellen district, Atwood Ranch is a hidden gem. This vineyard quietly produces some of the most stunning fruit we have ever tasted. While neighboring Napa has gotten most of the press when it comes to Cabs, big name producers like Caymus Vineyards, Kenwood Vineyards, Cakebread Cellars, and Schug Winery all have pulled fruit from this site. Why? Because the wines produced from these grapes are tremendous. They can offer a backdrop of great violet and blueberry aromatics with notes of classic cassis and chocolate. With tons of structure, these grapes produce tremendous, ageworthy wines. |
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Pinot Noir, Mahoney Vineyards, Sonoma, CAIt’s unusual these days for a California winery to own its vineyards, and even more unusual to make all its wine exclusively from estate-grown fruit. That is one of the reasons we are excited about Mahoney Vineyards in the Carneros region of Sonoma. The other reason is the spectacular fruit it produces! The vineyard gently slopes to the west with soils of sandy silt, gravel, and black clay. This unique composition produces a brilliant result when it comes to Pinot Noirs. These are finesse wines, which can have great expressive elements of cherry and framboise, cinnamon, nutmeg, and traces of vanilla. The palate is full and these Pinots finish long. This is a serious Pinot Noir! |
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Pinot Noir, Windsor Oaks Vineyards, Sonoma, CAWhen we think of the ideal location to grow Pinot Noir grapes, the Russian River Valley comes to mind. And why shouldn’t it? The terroir is cool, with east facing hills, and shallow soils that don't retain much water. It is Pinot Noir nirvana and the resulting wines are tremendous. Distinguished by their complexity, these Pinots can display intense cherry, blueberry, and raspberry flavors, along with interesting spice and herb notes (cinnamon, tarragon, and rosemary) and a clean earthiness. If you like an opulent Pinot Noir, look no further! |
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Syrah, Alder Springs Vineyard, Mendocino County, CAWe flat-out love this vineyard! Winemaker Stuart Bewley is one of those purist-perfectionist types who can match an incredible terroir with meticulous vineyard management practices. The result? Pax Wines, Behrens & Hitchcock Winery, Patz & Hall, Relic Wines, Copain Wines, Rudius Wines, Samsara Wine (should we continue??) all pull their Syrah grapes from Alder Springs. If you love Rhone wines that can show deep ruby/purple color and possess lush floral notes, blue and black fruits, have good underlying acidity, and a medium-bodied, elegant, stylish palate, look no further than Alder Springs for your Syrah. |
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Zinfandel, Soucie Vineyard, Lodi, CAPedigree counts. At least, that is what we think of when we consider the fact that this vineyard was planted in 1916 by the current grower’s grandfather. Cooling breezes from Suisun Bay and the Sacramento/San Joachin River Delta help keep these Zinfandel grapes from developing over-ripe flavors. Wines produced from this excellent fruit can be rich, deep, and full-bodied. We like Zinfandels that are fruit driven with nuanced texture. We get excited when we pick up hints of spice, coffee, and herbs with these wines and think you will feel the same way! |
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Merlot, Sherwood House Vineyards, Long Island, NYIs it predictable that we should look locally for grapes? Maybe…but Sherwood House makes it easy for us to look to our backyard for incredible fruit. Situated in Mattituck, the climate of Long Island's North Fork is reminiscent of France's Bordeaux region. Moderating winds from Long Island Sound and mild winters combined with sandy, loamy soil make for ideal conditions to grow Merlot grapes. As if that isn’t enough to get you thinking about NY Merlot, add unrivaled attention to fruit quality (this vineyard routinely drops half of its fruit during each growing season, which drastically lowers yields but dramatically increases the grapes' flavor intensity). We couldn’t wait to get our hands on this fruit! |
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Petite Sirah, Windsor Oaks Vineyard, Sonoma, CAWhat’s not to love about Petite Sirah? We are on a mission to show people how amazingly expressive these wines are and Windsor Oaks delivers the goods. For people who like both Syrah and Zinfandel, but can’t make up their mind – we suggest Petite Sirah. It is a full bodied wine that typically shows distinct notes of black raspberry, blueberry and black pepper. We are blown away by this wine’s texture, deep brooding color and structured tannins. |
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Riesling, Nutt Road Vineyard, Finger Lakes, NYWorld class Riesling from our backyard? New York State, particularly Nutt Road Vineyard, has been producing benchmark fruit for a long time. Don’t be surprised! This vineyard, which slopes down toward Seneca Lake, provides excellent air and water drainage for vines. Reminiscent of Germany’s famed Rhine region, Rieslings produced in New York can offer bright lemon, grapefruit, apricot, and tangerine flavors balanced by vibrant acidity. The range of possibilities with this Riesling is a winemaker’s dream! |
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Chardonnay, Windsor Oaks Vineyards, Sonoma, CAThe Chalk Hill AVA in Sonoma is very special. What distinguishes this area from surrounding regions is the rocky volcanic soil. We admit we are romantics when it comes to terroir, and it doesn’t get any better than here. Chalk Hill’s location forms a barrier that blocks coastal fog, elevating temperatures slightly, while an almost constant breeze washes over the vineyard, creating a near-perfect setting for Chardonnay grapes. The results are wines of sophistication, power, and substance. We are amazed with how these Chardonnays evolve! When young, they can show a fresh fruit-driven quality, and as they age, they tend to get more complex, exhibiting a distinct minerality. Both Rodney Strong Vineyards and Chalk Hill Estate have been producing top notch wines from this AVA for years. |
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Chardonnay, Nutt Road Vineyard, Finger Lakes, NYDon’t be surprised if you hear more and more about Chardonnays made from this upstate NY vineyard, which slopes down toward Seneca Lake, providing excellent air and water drainage for vines. This cool-climate Chardonnay can offer distinctive apple, pear, and stone fruit flavors, balanced with spice and wet stone. We are big fans of these wines and the value can’t be beat! |
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