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2009 Old Vine Chenin Blanc

UncorqedAdmin — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:46:17 +0000

2009 Old Vine Chenin Blanc

The Vintage: The 2010 vintage provided a long, cool growing season in the Yakima Valley. The reduced yields, thick skins and small, ripe clusters produced wine with individuality and personality. The growing season ended with a warming trend. In the last week of September and the first week of October, we had 10 days of 80 to 85 degree temperatures, capping off a great growing season. The Vineyard: The Webster Vineyard was planted in the early 1970’s to Chenin Blanc, a relatively unknown variety at the time. The grapes were sold to wineries around the state, and blended into white wine cuvees. Thirty years later, Winemaker Erik Brasher; then winemaker for Owen Roe Winery, noticed the vineyard on his many trips to Yakima, and stopped by the vineyard to talk to the owner. He and friend Mike Merriman made him a deal: Let us have just an acre of this old vine fruit, we said, and we’ll farm it our way. We cut back the yields, and micro-farmed this one block that produces the wine; hence the name, The Brasher Block. Wine Making: We sorted and cold soaked the grapes prior to pressing, which extracted the volatile aromatics from the skins, giving the wine its floral character. The wine spent an extended time in barrel this year, which gives it richness and a lightly oxidized palate, more typical of Loire Valley Chenin Blanc. The bottles are dipped in beeswax purchased from a beekeeper near the vineyard in Yakima. We do this as a tribute to the distinctive beeswax aromatics in the wine. Tasting Notes: The 36 year old grapevines were carefully farmed to enhance the varietal character of the Chenin Blanc while preserving the focused mouthwatering natural acids and minerality of the juice. Extended skin and juice contact post-destemming provided the concentration of aromas and flavors of Asian pear, honey comb and sandalwood. Maturation for 6months in neutral French oak barrels provides generous palate weight and richness giving the wine a beautifully balanced and long finish. Harvest: Oct 10, 2010 /22.6 brix/3.15 pH/8.33 TA Bottling: 13.6 %abv/3.25 pH Production: 80 cases Release: September 1, 2011

Cummins Road 2010

UncorqedAdmin — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:42:05 +0000

Cummins Road 2010

Vintage: 2010 was a cooler vintage, producing lighter style wines across the Willamette Valley region. In May the rains stopped, and the weather trended toward warmer weather. In June and July, it became apparent that the weather would stay cloudy and cooler than 2009. Vineyard: Merriman Vineyard is east facing, sitting at the top of a ridge at 500 ft known as Cummins Ridge. It is also dry farmed, which has trained the roots of the vines to go deeper into the soil in search of water. Since planting in 1999, we have kept yields to a minimum in order to maximize ripening and flavor, frequently coming in lower than 1 ton/acre. Merriman Vineyard also provides fruit for all Owen Pinot Noir offerings and few select wineries. We use sustainable agricultural methods and were LIVE certified in 2008. The vineyard is in a rain shadow, which gives us a reprieve from the rain and clouds that the rest of the valley experiences. Harvest: October 18, 2010. 23.2 Brix/24.0 Brix/pH 3.26/TA 8.04g/L Winemaking: We let the grapes stay in a cold soak for two days, in order to stabilize the wine’s phenolic flavors and gain more color. We sort the grapes by hand, leaving only the best grapes to go into the wine. The grapes are destemmed, but never crushed. They are left to ferment and then put into French oak for ten months. The wine was bottled in August, 2011. Wine Analysis: 3.78 pH, 4.89g/L TA, 13.5% abv Tasting Notes: Clean nose of Five Spice and strawberry jam. Plums, wild cherry and Asian pear on the front to mid-palate. Creamy texture with a dusty rose petal finish. Refreshing. Production: 440 cases Release Date: October 1, 2011

Semillion-Sauvignon Blanc The Visionaire

UncorqedAdmin — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:34:22 +0000

Semillion-Sauvignon Blanc

Coming from Klipsun Vineyard, Dineen Vineyard, Red Mountain and Yakima Valley, this wine possesses the crisp acid notes from Red Mountain and also captures the great citrus and tropical notes of the Yakima Valley. The ultimate summer wine can also be your perfect pairing for oysters, clams, and mussels. Last year’s vintage was in the SF Chronicle’s TOP 100 Wines. Only 141 cases produced.

Tech Notes

coming soon

Lauca Reserva Chardonnay

UncorqedAdmin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:51:50 +0000

Lauca Reserva Chardonnay

Lauca Reserva Chardonnay is young, fresh and intensely aromatic. Matured for 6 months in French oak barrels and spending a minimum of 12 months in bottle, this luscious wine is full and fruity with notes of vanilla and chocolate.

Tech Notes

Grape: Chardonnay, ABV (13%)

2008 Chateau Rollat “Ardenvoir” Sauvignon Blanc

UncorqedAdmin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:05:23 +0000

Ardenvoir Sauvignon Blanc

A brilliant, bone dry Sauvignon Blanc with expressive fruit and crisp mouth feel. The 2008 Ardenvoir Sauvignon Blanc is a tank fermented, single varietal wine. On the nose, fruit and floral tones provide a prelude to the prominent fruit experienced on the pallet. A short blast of pineapple and tropical fruit is quickly followed by grapefruit and other citric fruit which are characteristic of fine Sauvignon Blanc. The wine finishes with a wisp of lemongrass and a hint of minerality.

Tech Notes

Fruit: 100% Sauvignon Blanc from two vineyards on the south facing slope of the Prosser area

Fermentation Program: Tank fermented (no oak) to total dryness.

Alcohol: 13%

Acidity: 3.2 pH

2008 Pinot Noir

UncorqedAdmin — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:39:27 +0000

2008 Pinot Noir

Aromatics of black cherries, anise and oak. A well-structured wine with hints of currant and chocolate. Full-bodied and racy.

Tech Notes

Vineyards: Croft-Williamson (85%) Apolloni (15%) Certified Organic Grapes

UncorqedAdmin — Fri, 13 May 2011 18:23:26 +0000

Strawbellini recently placed in the top 5 sparkling wines at the San Francisco International Wine Competition alongside international brands including Veuve Clicquot, Piper and Nicolas Feuillatteto, taking home a double gold medal after a unanimous vote by judges for the gold medal award, elevating it to double gold status!

Best Sparkling in Show 2010 Australian Fruit Wine Show – Hobart
Gold medal 2010 Australian Fruit Wine Show – Hobart
Double Gold Medal 2010 San Francisco International Wine Competition – USA
Winner in the 2010 Food Challenge Awards

Strawbellini is at the forefront of the Australian wine revolution where experimentation and blending rule. An innovative blend of the best late-harvest moscato sourced from the premium vineyards of the Mornington Peninsula and the pure essence of Sunny Ridge strawberries. It’s the only wine of its kind sold in Australia.

A refreshingly charismatic sparkling, Strawbellini is a zestful elaboration on the classic champagne cocktail. The perfect hedonistic companion to both late night trysts and early morning assignations– especially when served alongside smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.

Charlotte

UncorqedAdmin — Fri, 13 May 2011 18:21:50 +0000

Charlotte Premium 100% Strawberry Sparkling Best Sparkling in Show 2009 Australian Fruit Wine Show – Hobart, Tas Best Sparkling in Show 2009 Australian Fruit Wine Awards – Cairns, Qld Best Sparkling in Show 2010 Australian Fruit Wine Awards – Cairns, Qld The essence of pure strawberries is captured in the delicate bubbles of this tantalizing sparkling wine. Made from 100% Sunny Ridge strawberries grown on the fertile hinterland of the Mornington Peninsula, the unique aroma and berry filled palette make this wine the perfect accompaniment for celebrations of any flavour. Why put strawberries in your champagne… when you can have champagne made from strawberries? Only strawberries with high levels of sugar and acidity are used. After the normal winemaking process, the wine is naturally sweetened, stabilized and put through the sparkling process. The result is a wine that is refreshing and sweet to taste with a clean acid finish.

2008 Estate Pinot Noir

UncorqedAdmin — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:17:15 +0000

The current releases begin with the 2008 Pinot Noir Estate. Medium ruby red, it offers up a nose of spicy red fruits and floral notes leading to an elegant, smooth-textured wine with a bit of structure and lively acidity. Drink this tasty effort over the next 5-6 years. The tiny Roots Wines & Vineyard owns 20 acres in the Ribbon Ridge AVA close to the famous Shea vineyard. Owner/winemaker Chris Berg made his first commercial vintage in 2002.

2009 Viognier

UncorqedAdmin — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:16:56 +0000

“What a terrific find — a Viognier from Washington’s Columbia Valley in which the character of the northern Rhone grape comes through loud and clear. Viognier must really like the climate up there in Washington, because, with a little help from winemaker Chris Berg, the 2008 vintage of Roots Viognier has a cool minerality and pretty scent of flowers and peaches. It’s ripe and voluptuous, but not too sweet, which is exactly what you’re looking for in a Viognier. Better move fast on this one: Bert made just 150 cases and at this writing, it’s available in Southern California at only two retailers. Drink this creamy, structured white with steamed mussels and clams, scallops and smoked fish. It would be great with a seafood chowder too.”

Blend of 60% Seven Hills Vineyard and 40% Outlook Vineyard

Winemaking Details

• Light pressing

• 80% neutral oak barrel-fermented

• 20% new Francois Frères 3-year air-dried oak

• Yeast: Indigenous

• Elevage: 10 months

2008 49 Rows Pinot Noir

UncorqedAdmin — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:16:14 +0000

2009 “Klee” Pinot Noir

UncorqedAdmin — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:15:07 +0000

United States – Pinot Noir – Oregon

“Dark garnet color. Dark toasty oak and spicy red licorice in the nose, with dark raspberry and cherry scents. Flavors are of red raspberry, red cherry, and red licorice, with white pepper and more lavender in the finish. Finishes with touches of white pepper and incense.”

The Klee Pinot 2009 is a blend of the five family owned vineyards I work with in the Northern Willamette Valley. The wine is 100% indigenous with native yeast and fermented with 100% neutral oak. Most of the soils in this wine are silty loam with various percentages of sandy loam underlying. The wine spent 10 months in oak before bottling. It is meant to be a little forward drinking. The growing season was nearly perfect. Low yields, most vineyards reporting between 10%-35% below average yields. Small clusters, meaning more skin to juice ratio. At the time of harvest, we had cool nights that helped to maintain a nice acidity level. Harvest started September 21st and ended Oct 29th with plenty of sunshine and just a little light rain. Ph is around 3.65 and TA 6.0.

2007 Mountain Cuvee

UncorqedAdmin — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:14:56 +0000

Blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Syrah from this new, tiny Mt. Veeder winery. The color and nose is dark, rich and spicy. Black berry fruits, black pepper, French roast coffee and cedar. Full bodied and substantial in the mouth with good acidity and exceptional length. A good decanting will elevate your enjoyment immensely. It’s classic steak & potatoes wine. The more roasted, peppery and hearty the food, the better for a perfect match.
Spotted Owl “Mountain Cuvée” comes from the top of the Mayacamas Mountain range, on the Sonoma County side. It’s “almost Mt. Veeder.” Rolando Herrera, winemaker (He owns and makes Mi Sueño wines). 500 cases made.

2007 Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

UncorqedAdmin — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:14:40 +0000

We now receive grapes from seven blocks of this vineyard including some that are the primary sources for Quilceda Creek’s 100 point wines. The diversity of the component wines and the relatively old age of the vines combine to produce a complex and powerful, yet elegant wine. This vintage is comprised of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc and, for the first time, a splash of Merlot. This wine has sold out very quickly the last two years.