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This 2011 Merlot was made from vines grown at Cecil's Los Amigos Ranch, a vineyard in the Chalk Hill region of the Russian River Valley. - Hook & Ladder's oldest vineyards thrive in the cooler section of our land just west of Santa Rosa. Here the morning fog gently blankets our 100-year old vines and allows the pre-prohibition Pinot Noir to ripen evenly in the summer months.
- Virtually all (95%) of this Zin is made from vines over 100 years old on our Saitone and Gambogi vineyards, planted in 1895 and 1909, respectively.
- This blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Alicante Bouschet is named after the Fire Station from which Cecil retired.
- 100% Grenache grown in the tough Ironstone laden hillside. The vines appear to float above the valley and the sea below, braving the winds off of the Southern Ocean and keeping yields achingly low, thus producing a profound Grenache of delicate balance. Aged in neutral oak for 5 months.
- Imprimata aims to be in the best expression of this McLaren Vale vineyard. In the case of the inaugural vintage, it is a blend of 80% Shiraz and 20% Petite Sirah aged for 15 months in 2-3 year old French and American Hogsheads. The Tahbilk clone of Shiraz (one of two clones planted at the property) comes from the oldest winery in Victoria and tends to produce wines that are reminiscent of the northern Rhone revealing more lifted violet and spice character. Petite Sirah is naturally higher in acid tannin and color bringing structure and minerality to the blend. The wine is made by Ben Glaetzer who shares Hammershlag's vision of wines that walk the line between power and elegance always finding balance between the two.
- Big and jammy, this wine has notes of chocolate and ripe red berries on the nose and a wonderful dark chocolate taste with a slight bit of oak. We drank it with dark chocolate and it was a prefect pairing.
- Toasty oak walnut and brown sugar nose, with definite blueberry and boysenberry fruit swirled in. On the palate it is rich and complex with well rounded integrated tannins, bright and intense dark blackberry and blueberry fruit and a long finish with a hint of anise and black pepper.
- Classic notes of black pepper and spice highlight the lush fruit aromas of this James Creek Zinfandel. On the palate, silky layers of blackberries unfold with intriguing coffee and vanilla nuances. This wine has a wonderful history, rich in family tradition. As siblings, Viticulturist Scott Brown and Winemaker Cindy Johnston helped their family plant this Zinfandel vineyard in 1972, when they were 8 and 12 years old. For nearly three decades they have trained and nurtured this vineyard in Pope Valley. Over the years, family and friends have enjoyed the wine, and a new generation of children has continued the tradition of helping in the vineyard.
- This rich, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon is brimming with cassis, raspberry, cocoa and warm vanilla notes in the nose. Its texture is amazingly supple and lingers across the palate, imparting a long, polished finish that was developed in part from aging in new French Oak barrels.
- One of the advantages of having made wine in the Columbia Valley since the mid-1980s is the opportunity it’s given me to work with some of the most dedicated growers in the industry. During all that time, Champoux Vineyard has stood at the top of the list of outstanding vineyards in Washington State. Located in the Horse Heavens, this vineyard consistently produces wines with exceptional depth, complexity, and elegance.
- The Columbia Valley is wonderfully suited to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon, and Ciel du Cheval Vineyard on Red Mountain gets it right every year. Experience a bouquet of cassis, raspberries, and vanilla. The palate is dense and balanced with notes of black currant and chocolate. Polished tannins frame a lengthy finish.
- The Weinbau Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and well-structured on the palate with lots of dark fruit and chocolate flavors. It has a perfumed, expressive nose of cassis, black raspberries, and spice. It is well-balanced with wonderful texture and a long finish that bodes well for its long cellar potential.
- Weinbau Vineyard is located on the Wahluke Slope and is one of the oldest vineyards in the appellation. The Cabernet Franc and Malbec in the blend both come from this vineyard as well as a good portion of the Cabernet Sauvignon. Champoux Vineyard contributes the remainder of the Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Located in the Horse Heaven Hills, Champoux Vineyard is one of the state's most revered vineyards. It provides great suppleness and concentration to the blend, while the Weinbau adds structure and length. Merlot, the final contributor to the blend, comes from the renowned Klipsun Vineyard.
- The nose is brimming with blackberries, currants, and rich dark chocolate. Medium full on the palate with an elegant, lively mouth-feel and a long finish packed with fresh berry and cherry flavors.
- Raspberry, red currant, plum and spice notes in the nose that complement fleshy, black fruit and cocoa flavors in the mouth.
- Offers up meat, game, and balsamic notes. On the palate it reveals some elegance, savory flavors, impeccable balance, and a lengthy finish.
- Predominately powered by the earthy Syrah, this wine is full-bodied and hearty. Smooth and juicy up front, thanks to the Grenache, jammy and spicy flavors are contributed by the Zinfandel and texture is brought in by the Petite Sirah. A well-balanced blend has no preconceived notion of a particular flavor profile so set your senses free on a scavenger hunt of flavors.
- Smooth, with sweet ripe cherries and herbs, the wine is easy to like and drink, especially if you like it on the young side.
- Saturated red. Fragrant, ethereal nose offers perfumed black raspberry, potpourri and singed orange, accented by a strong spicy overtone. Dense, sappy and sweet but strikingly energetic; the intense dark berry liqueur and rose pastille flavors are both taut and rich, with strong back-end cut. Finishes very suave and long, leaving notes of anise, black cardamom and flowers.
- With aromas of jam, licorice, black and red fruits and smoke, this supple textured wine ends with a fresh black cherry finish.
