-
Rich in mouth-feel, yet balanced by bright acidity, our 100% Viognier presents fresh flavors of white-stone fruits and enticing aromas of citrus blossom and gardenias. To maintain focus on the articulate mountain-grown Viognier fruit, no new oak is used. Forty percent of the cuvee is fermented and aged in stainless steel, which promotes crispness, while sixty percent is fermented and aged in 8-year-old neutral oak barrels, which promotes richness. A delicious spiciness lolls on the tongue in the long and lingering finish.
-
Grown on the lean rocky soils of the Quartz Hill in front of the winery, our Syrah expresses its mountaintop terroir with a fresh acidity and spiciness that frames the abundant blackberry and floral characteristics. The natural concentration and complexity of our 100% Syrah cuvee is allowed to express itself through the use of neutral oak barrels. The unfolding layers of dark fruit, allspice, and underbrush result in an unforgettable tasting experience.
-
Typically blended with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon to provide framing for this gentle giant, our Merlot packs concentrated flavors and aromas of currant and cassis, spicy mocha, and vanilla bean. The entire palate is coated with sweet and chewy tannins that melt into a long rewarding finish.
-
Typically blended with 20% Merlot to promote palate saturation, this remarkable wine is virtually opaque in its deep ruby hue. Aromas and flavors of boysenberry, red current and fresh sage gush from its rich and explosive mid-palate, followed by ripe blueberry, espresso and deep chocolate flavors in the finish. Being both thoroughly ripe and light on its feet, our Cabernet Franc has gained many converts over the years.
-
This Chardonnay is sourced entirely from the Napa Carneros district and is made in a distinctly crisper style than our estate Vintner Select Chardonnay. Fermented and aged sur lie in 50% new French oak and 50% neutral barrels, the malolactic fermentation is stopped at the half-way point which allows the wine to maintain the clean citrus characteristic of its Carneros provenance. Straw yellow in color, with crisp apple, citrus and minerals balanced on the nose and palate with hints of emerging marmalade and butterscotch, the style is refreshing and clean without being austere.
-
Cabernet is planted on some of our most extreme rocky volcanic soils at 2000+ foot elevation which results in darkened wine color and contributes to the concentrated cassis and chocolate flavors. A classic nose of black currant, cassis, licorice and tobacco, these characteristics also saturate the palate, with cocoa emerging on the minute-long finish. Our Pride Cabernet Sauvignon is sometimes blended with 5% Merlot to broaden the mid-palate when needed, and is always blended with up to 10% Petit Verdot to add brightness and focus to the finish.
-
Our 100% estate grown Chardonnay is from a one-acre block at the very top of our mountain. Also fermented and aged sur lie in 50% new French oak and 50% neutral barrels, the Vintner Select Chardonnay is allowed to go entirely through the malolactic fermentation. Golden yellow in color, it has rich flavors of lemon curd, pear and fig that are framed by enough acidity, minerality and exotic spice so as not to be ponderous. The velvety mouth feel and dance of contrasting flavors yield to a long persistent finish.
-
In contrast to our Pride cuvees, the Vintner Select wines feature 100% varietal purity and express the concentrated ripeness that can be achieved on our mountaintop estate. The Vintner Select Merlot is usually sourced from a Clone 3 block having warm southern exposures. This wine has a personality unique to any other in our cave, with intense aromas and flavors of concentrated sweet cassis, black cherry liqueur, and licorice. Rich and deep while remaining elegant, there is enough tannic structure and framing acidity to confuse many an expert into thinking it is Cabernet. A unique and rewarding tasting experience.
-
Our estate has several blocks of Clone 337 Cabernet that are now more than ten years old and are making wines of exceptional concentration and character. Starting with the 2005 vintage, we are making a limited amount of Vintner Select Cabernet that feature these blocks. Deep smooth flavors of ripe cherry, currant, and chocalate saturate the palate, while an unctuous viscosity coats the tongue and mouth. We think you will enjoy indulging in the decadent elegance of this 100% mountain-grown Clone 337 Cabernet.
-
Our Reserve Cabernet is made from our oldest and most expressive vineyard blocks of Clone 7 Cabernet and is aged in barrel 6 months longer compared to our Pride and Vintner Select cuvees. Deeply concentrated flavors of cassis, black fruit, tar, licorice, and spice satiate the palate and persist with nuanced layering for a minutes long finish. This wine is produced in limited quantities and is made available only to our most loyal customers.
-
After identifying our Vintner Select Merlot and Reserve Cabernet in a given vintage, these two wines are blended 2/3 to 1/3 to make our Reserve Claret. The result is a unique multi-dimensional wine that contrasts power and elegance. This wine is produced in limited quantities and is made available only to our most loyal customers.
-
Grown from a few rows of Sangiovese planted within the same mountaintop vineyard that produces our Vintner Select Merlot, we typically blend 10 to 15% Cabernet or Merlot to obtain a Sangiovese having both structure and balance. Ripe flavors of strawberry and cherry are balanced by earth and leather undertones with velvety chocolate emerging on the finish. This wine is produced in limited quantities and is made available only to our most loyal customers.
