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Fall/Winter 2002
General Winery News Wine Industry Profile Uncorked! From our Winemaker New Releases Special Report Personnel Corner |
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SIX NEW WINES RELEASED FOR
New releases include 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2000 Merlot, 2000 Ovation Chardonnay,
1999 Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 1999 Syrah and 2001 Viognier
The 2000 Vintage The long 2000 growing season was a roller coaster ride of temperature highs and lows, with many vintners picking from August to November, a time span causing both mental and physical fatigue on the part of vineyard and production crews. Nevertheless, overall fruit quality was high despite heat spikes in June and September, a mid-September cold snap, and rain in mid-October. A warming trend finally brought harvest to a close at the end of October. |
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BLEND: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 6% Petite Verdot and 4% Malbec from estate-owned vineyards and independent growers.
WINEMAKER NOTES: Despite difficult weather conditions in 2000, when our Cabernet fruit was finally harvested it displayed deep color and dense, extractive flavors. The finished wine is softer and more accessible than last year’s, with lush ripe flavors of cedar and cassis. |
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| BLEND: 100% Merlot from estate-owned vineyards (50%) and independent growers (50%). WINEMAKER NOTES: Similar to the Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2000 Merlot is round, lush and approachable, with cherry-like aromas and complex fruit flavors of cherry and spice. |
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BLEND: 100% Chardonnay from estate-grown vineyards in Carneros as well as from independent growers.
WINEMAKER NOTES: Despite the tumultuous weather conditions, our Carneros Chardonnay was harvested during a window of mild weather in late September-early October during which fruit ripened to near-ideal sugar/acid levels. The finished wine, which contains bright fruit flavors of citrus and pear, is generous and creamy in the mouth with rich oak notes of spice, toast and vanilla. |
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BLEND: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate-owned Backus Vineyard in Oakville.
WINEMAKER NOTES: Cool temperatures characterized much of the 1999 growing season, with harvest running to to three weeks later than normal. Warm weather in late September accelerated the ripening process, and the extended season resulted in darkly pigmented fruit, intense flavors and balanced natural acidity, all of which contributed to an outstanding crop in this “first growth” Oakville vineyard. The wine itself is opulent and multi-layered, with great depth of color and super-ripe aromas of black fruits and mocha. An impressive concentration of sweet tannins frames a noteworthy finish and contributes to a degree of ageability that rivals the best of the 90’s. |
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BLEND: 100% estate-grown Syrah from Yountville and Carneros.
WINEMAKER NOTES: Compared to some of the previous vintages, anxiety levels were mild as the 1999 harvest approached and we observed grapes ripening to maturity after a long, cool growing season. Warm weather in late September/early October accelerated sugars, and in our Syrah vineyards the extended season resulted in dark fruit color, smoky/spicy aromas, and ripe, extractive flavors. |
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BLEND: 100% Viognier from our Spring Valley ranch (68%) as well as from estate vineyards in Yountville (25%) and Carneros (7%).
WINEMAKER NOTES: A long growing season allowed optimal ripening and yielded intensely flavored fruit that has been fashioned into a stunning wine containing flavors of orange blossom, honeysuckle and white peaches. |
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