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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. |