If you are holding on to some of our older vintages, we'd like to give you an idea of how we think they are drinking. Of course, some wines go through "dumb" phases but then  turn out even better. Eventually, unfortunately, all wines will "go over the hill." The notes on this page are from July, 2000.

MERLOT

2002 Estate Merlot

Our 2002 Estate Merlot is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20%Cabernet Sauvignon. Tightly integrated fruit and oak flavors characterize this wine, which displays a dark ruby color with a nose of black cherry and a touch of licorice with these flavors continuing into the mouth. Cabernet Sauvignon is blended into the Merlot to add additional structure and complexity to the wine. Nicely balanced between fruit and oak with soft tannins in the finish. Will age well for 4-6 years. 450 Cases.

1994 Merlot

Our 1994 Merlot, which was a Gold Medal winner at the Orange County Fair, is deep purple-red with lots of ripe black cherry and blackberry, currant and spice flavors. Good tannin structure and toasty French oak give this wine great aging potential. Drink/ Hold 2-3 years

1995 Merlot

Our 1995 Merlot (a top ten red value with 87 points from the Wine Spectator) offers deep purple color. The flavors are ripe blackberries with hints of licorice and chocolate. The finish is remarkably fruity and lingers with a touch of new toasty French oak. Drink/Hold 3-6 years.

1996 Merlot

Our 1996 Merlot (Silver Medal Orange County Fair, Silver Grand Harvest Award, Wine Spectator 88 points), is deep purple-red with lots of black fruit character. A spice-blackberry fragrance, with ripe berry flavors along with a soft velvet mouth feel, leads to ripe tannins and well-integrated toasty French oak in the finish.  Drink/Hold 3-6 years

1997 Merlot

Our 1997 Merlot (a Silver Medal winner from the Ornage County Fair) offers a very deep purple-red color. Rich flavors of blackberries, black cherries, spice and toasty French oak, integrate well with the soft ripe tannins and provide an elegant finish. Drink/Hold 2-5 years.

1998 Merlot

Our 1998 Merlot has concentrated flavors of blueberry and blackberry, currant and spice. Showing soft ripe tannins and sweet toasty French oak, this wine has elegance and structure and will age well.   Aging potential 3-6 years
 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

2002 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Our 2002 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc. 2002 was an excellent Cabernet vintage. A warmer spring was responsible for an earlier bud break and the resulting longer growing season added rich, full bodied flavors of cherry and blackberry to the Cabernet Sauvignon. The small amount of Cabernet Franc added to the final blend helps lifts the nose and brings a nice wild berry and dark currant flavor to the wine. This wine shows a great balanced between fruit, oak and tannins and will age well for 6-10 years.  425 Cases.

1994 Cabernet Sauvignon

Our 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon (winner of a Bronze medal at the Orange County fair, 86 points from the Wine Spectator) offer lots of ripe, supple plum, currant and wild berry flavors and soft fleshy tannins. The toasty oak is well integrated with a long lingering finish. Drink/Hold 3-6 years.

1995 Cabernet Sauvignon

Our 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon (winner of a Bronze medal at the Orange County fair, 86 points from the Wine Spectator) with its attractive garnet color, releases classic flavors of plum, red berry and cedar with sweet vanilla from the new French oak. This wine has great structure and the soft tannins provide a very elegant finish. Drink/Hold 3-6 years.
 

1996 Cabernet Sauvignon

Our 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon (Bronze Medal Grand Harvest Award, with 89 points from the Wine Enthusianst) is a deep redbrick color with ripe cherry, currant, plum and berry flavors. Finishes with a touch of new French oak and soft tannins. Drink/Hold 3-6 years.
 

1997 Cabernet Sauvignon

Our 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon (87 points from the Wine Spectator) is dark, ripe and intense with wonderful flavors of ripe cherry, plum, currant, minerals and spice. This wine is well structured with toasty French oak and soft supple tannins on the finish. Drink/Hold 3-6 years.
 

CHARDONNAY

2003 Estate Chardonnay 

Our 2003 Chardonnay is 100% Estate grown and bottled.  The fruit for our Estate Chardonnay is grown on the highest elevations on our Ranch.  Our “ White Rock Terraces” are at 1400 feet receive a good amount of marine influence from the near by Pacific Ocean which helps the fruit achieve good acidity at harvest. These limestone-based soils of calcareous rock impart a wonderful mineral character to the wine and are very rare in California. All the juice is fermened in small French oak barrels with 45% new barrels each year. The wine is also allowed to complete malolactic fermentation that adds structure, complexity and a wonderful creamy finish to the wine. It is ripe and creamy with layers of pear, citrus, nutmeg and minerals, finishing with a nice touch of toasty French oak. This wine has great balance between fruit, oak and acidity and will age well for 3-6 years. 450 Cases.
 

Our Estate Chardonnay is crafted to enjoy upon release, however we find that a year or two in the bottle can add to the complexity of the wine. The 1994 thru 1998 vintages show flavors of ripe pear, apple, minerals and hazelnuts.  Touches of new French oak add to the creamy finish. Right now, here's our thoughts as if early 2001.

1994 Chardonnay:  Drink
1995 Chardonnay:  Drink/Hold 1-2 years
1996 Chardonnay:  Drink
1997 Chardonnay:  Drink/Hold 2-3 years
1998 Chardonnay:  Drink/Hold 2-3 
1999 Chardonnay:  has layers of apple and pear flavors along with citrus, nutmeg and minerals, finishing with a touch of sweet French oak. Good aging potential for 2-5 years from bottling.
 

ZINFANDEL

2002 “Select Ranches” Zinfandel

Our “Select Ranches” 2002 Zinfandel is a blend of 90% Zinfandel and 10% Syrah all grown on the Westside of the Paso Robles appellation. The combination of Zinfandel grapes along with Syrah grapes from our Estate Vineyards compliments each other with Zinfandel providing the classic raspberry fruit and Syrah adding richness and concentration creating a wine that achieves great structure and balance. 525 Cases.

2003 Estate Zinfandel

Our “Select Ranches” 2002 Zinfandel is a blend of 90% Zinfandel and 10% Syrah all grown on the Westside of the Paso Robles appellation. The combination of Zinfandel grapes along with Syrah grapes from our Estate Vineyards compliments each other with Zinfandel providing the classic raspberry fruit and Syrah adding richness and concentration creating a wine that achieves great structure and balance. 525 Cases. This wine is SOLD OUT except to Wine Club Members.