The Sarah Jane English Newsletter:  81st Edition
January 31, 2007

TOP PICKS OF THE MONTH (prices vary store to store) $Best Buy

• Pacific OASIS 2004 Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County $25
• Pacific OASIS 2005 Syrah, Santa Barbara County $14$
• DANIEL GEHRS 2004 Syrah, Santa Barbara County $30
• HOGUE CELLARS 2004 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley $10 $
• SIMI 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma $15
• CHATEAU POTELLE 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mt. Veeder $60
• MAYACAMAS 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa $60
• GRAVITY HILLS 2003 Base Camp Syrah, Paso Robles $15
• TOLOSA 2005 No Oak Chardonnay, Edna Ranch Estate, Edna Valley $16
• TOLOSA 2005 Pinot Noir, Edna Ranch Estate $28
• RAYMOND R Collection 2004 Merlot, California $14$
• St. FRANCIS 2003 Syrah, Sonoma $19
• DASHE Cellars 2004 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel $22
• DASHE Cellars 2003 Zinfandel, Todd Brothers Vineyard, Alexander Valley $28
• ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS 2003 Estate Syrah $20
• J. LOHR 2004 Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles $15$
• J. LOHR 2003 Los Osos Merlot, Paso Robles $15$
• GLORIA FERRER 2004 Pinot Noir, Carneros $15$
• NICKEL & NICKEL 2004 Dyer Syrah $39
• KORBEL Brut Rosé single serve 187ml (four-bottle pack, $15)
• ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS 2005 "Temptation Zin" California $12$

WINERY OF THE MONTH: Nickel & Nickel produces single vineyard wines of distinction. CEO Larry Maguire tells me that the recent harvests and the wines they create are marvelous.  Larry says, "Things are going well up here at Far Niente, Nickel & Nickel and Dolce.  The 2006 vintage has treated us quite well.  We have some fantastic wine sitting in tanks and barrels.  What a great time for the arrival of Thanksgiving. We have so much for which to be thankful, for example,  we have had an exceptional run of fantastic vintages since 2001.  It seems we keep dodging the weather bullet.  We had so much rain last spring that the grapes started off slow and we had a cool summer and fall which kept the grapes hanging on the vine.  We were blessed with great dry weather during September and October allowing us to get everything fully ripe.  Wow, these wines are really good. 
    "I'm glad to hear that Nickel & Nickel is making such a good impression down in Texas.  I think you'll like tasting two Nickel & Nickel Single Vineyard Cabernets side by side, Sullenger Vineyard and Branding Iron Vineyard.  I hope you and your students enjoy them," Larry concludes.  
NICKEL & NICKEL 2003 Branding Iron Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley $80: "Aged in French oak barrels for 17 months (44% new, 56% used once), there were 1218 cases produced.   Named by the proprietor, the four-acre Branding Iron Vineyard lies in western Oakville, near the Mayacamas Mountains.  The vineyard is comprised of well-drained clay loam and the vines are vertically trellised to maximize sunlight and open the canopy.  The area’s warm climate and sun exposure morning and afternoon is perfect for slowly ripening the fruit, which often benefits from a long hang time.  Harvest Notes: Higher rainfall levels in April did not affect the growing season this year, with budbreak and bloom following a usual pattern.  Verasion, however, was a week later than normal, due to cooler temperatures in June. Laterals were pulled in this vineyard promoting good light penetration and the clusters hung loosely on the vine.  A few heat waves in August and early September helped promote jammy flavors, but cooler temperatures in late September allowed for a long hang time and fully mature tannins.    Sensory Evaluation: The flavors get better and better as this vineyard matures.   This 2003 Branding Iron flaunts a mixture of wild berry and cranberry fruit.  The middle palate is fat and coating as it tastes sweet and polished even though the wine is dry.  A warm, spicy toast coming from the barrels complements the fruit, while the soft tannins finish with harmony and grace. 
NICKEL & NICKEL 2003 John C. Sullenger Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley $80: "Aged 16 months in French oak barrels (42% new, 58% once-used), with 2266 cases produced.   Vineyard Description: The home vineyard of Nickel & Nickel, Sullenger Vineyard is situated behind the winery in the heart of Oakville and is named for John C. Sullenger, who settled the farmstead in the 1880s.  The vineyard’s 30 acres of clay loam soil are planted exclusively to Cabernet Sauvignon.   Harvest Notes: Cover crops and irrigation management have made a big difference in this vineyard.  Vine vigor has gone down dramatically over the past few years, while concentration in the fruit has increased.  In 2003, the vines looked well balanced.  We did small passes through the vineyard to remove third clusters, while a small thinning pass brought the crop load into perfect balance.  We harvested fruit from an additional block this year, which proved to further enhance the final blend. Sensory Evaluation: Sullenger Vineyard has been showing riper fruit flavors over the years and the 2003 vintage continues to follow this trend. The wine offers a medley of black and red fruits with flavors of blackberry and sweet cherry filling the palate.   Layers of sweet herb, coffee and spice coupled with sweet, toasty oak round out the middle and carry into the long, supple tannins that create this wine’s beautiful, lingering finish.                                                                           
SPLURGE WINE of the MONTH: J. DAVIES 2003 Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $70: Ripe blackberry aromas and flavors with anise, clove and toasty oak, richly structured mid-palate, black berries and chewy tannins and textured finish.   Enjoy with rib-eye steak, thick veal chop and grilled meats.

NEWS

ROSENBLUM CELLARS has designed new packaging for its wines, debuting February 2007, to clearly delineate the portfolio's various tiers.  The reason is for consumers and the trade to easily recognize the different wines and styles.   At the top level are the ROSENBLUM Vineyard Designate and Reserve wines, $35 to $55.   Labels feature elegant black and grey designs.  The company's new Appellation Series in the $18 range has a deep-Burgundy label.  The entry-level Cuvée Series wines feature the classic Rosenblum label, for $12.  Additionally, in keeping with its commitment to community-based charities that bring together animals and people, ROSENBLUM announced a new partnership with Paws With A Cause.

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SHAFER ON LINE continues to inform readers of fun facts and weird truths.  The current edition reports that "the legal drinking age in India is 25" and that in 1985 Malcolm Forbes paid a record $156,000. for a bottle of wine once owned by Thomas Jefferson, but recent research shows that it was a fake.  In my opinion, it was an absurb purchase in the first place and it just shows that having money doesn't mean you spend it wisely!
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TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL CENTRAL COAST WINE CLASSIC will be held July 12 - 15, 2007 at Shell Beach, San Simeon and San Luis Obispo, California.  It includes barrel Tastings, Symposia on Pinot Noir, Bordeaux blends, Tempranillo, Single Vineyards, and Schramsberg sparkling wines and wine dinners, auctions and cooking demonstrations.   For information: (805) 544-1285 or FAX 595-2742, email: archie@slonet.org and www.centralcoastwineclassic.org

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ANDELUNA CELLARS MAKES WINE ENTHUSIAST’S TOP 100 LIST: New Argentine Winery Captures US Attention in First Year-- “This has been an amazing year for Andeluna Cellars,” said Mike Kenter, VP of Sales and Marketing for Andeluna Cellars. “Our wines were awarded 20 gold medals and several best of class awards in just eight international wine competitions, and received numerous excellent reviews from top wine writers across the country. Being named on Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 list is the perfect end to an outstanding year.”  Andeluna Cellars 2003 Reserve Malbec was 55 on the 100 wine list among approximately 8,000 reviewed.

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 WINE STATISTICS: Reports suggest that more women buy wines and,  in general, most wine buyers select according to grape, price, and packaging without particulr concern for vintages or appellations.  

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WAKEFIELD Winemaker Adam Eggins Named Australian Winemaker of the Year. (Please see below)

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SARAH JANE ENGLISH Designs Individual Wine Programs: TASTING PRESENTATIONS, WINE SHOWERS (better than a Kitchen Shower), SPEAKER for an EVENT and so forth.  The Best Way To Learn Wines Is To Taste Them.  Want a wine coach?   Please Contact Sarah Jane For Your Personal Class. sarahjaneenglish@sbcglobal.net (512) 474-1889

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The WINE INSTITUTE has released two important reports: MFK RESEARCH REPORT ON ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CALIFORNIA WINE 2006 and the California Sustainable Winegrowing Program Progress  Report. 

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CORK SUPPLY NEWS, an informational Newsletter produced by Cork Supply USA, reports that "Science and Innovation are the Key to Cork Supply's Success."   In the article, Cork Supply President Jochen Michalski says that change is inevitable and over the years his company has been the catalyst for much of the change in the cork industry.  "To ensure that our changes were for the better, we brought in talented people with research and quality assurance experience."

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MEDICAL RESEARCH shows that eating an ounce of almonds and walnets daily and ten tablespoons of tomato paste in food preparations each week will reduce heart trouble (other important considerations included).

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FAR NIENTE CEO Larry Maguire tells me that the recent harvests and the wines they create are marvelous.  Larry says, "Things are going well up here at Far Niente, Nickel & Nickel and Dolce.  The 2006 vintage has treated us quite well.  We have some fantastic wine sitting in tanks and barrels.  What a great time for the arrival of Thanksgiving. We have so much for which to be thankful, for example,  we have had an exceptional run of fantastic vintages since 2001.  It seems we keep dodging the weather bullet.  We had so much rain last spring that the grapes started off slow and we had a cool summer and fall which kept the grapes hanging on the vine.  We were blessed with great dry weather during September and October allowing us to get everything fully ripe.  Wow, these wines are really good. 
    "I'm glad to hear that Nickel & Nickel is making such a good impression down in Texas.  I think you'll like tasting two Nickel & Nickel Single Vineyard Cabernets side by side, Sullenger Vineyard and Branding Iron Vineyard.  I hope you and your students enjoy them," Larry concludes.

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THE WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION OF TEXAS presents "TEAM CUISINE, An Interactive Cooking Experience" on Thursday, February 22, 2007; 6:00pm, Texas Culinary Academy, Foundation members $70, non-members $80 www.tca.edu
For reservations or memberships, call Stephanie Karger at (512) 327-7555 or register via the Foundation website: www.winefoodfoundation.org.

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NEW RELEASES (quotes are winemakers' comments)   

ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS was one of the first wineries I visited 25 years ago when I started writing about wine.  The Wetzel family owners were ably represented by daughter Katie Wetzel and son Hank Wetzel, who kindly spoiled me and set a lovely example of the charming folks who represent the California wine industry.   Katie prepared a lovely luncheon with herb and vegetables from her garden that we enjoyed on the patio in front of the vineyards and Hank proudly poured several of his wines.  The ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS wines just keep getting better.   New products have been added since those earlier days that fill the needs of several occasions.  I can heartily and happily endorse all their wines.  

• ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS 2005 Wetzel Family Estate Chardonnay, Alexander Valley $15
• ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS 2005 Wetzel Family Estate Viognier, Alexander Valley $18
• ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS 2005 Wetzel Family Estate Pinot Noir, Alexander Valley $21
• ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS 2004 Wetzel Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley $20
• ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS 2004 Wetzel Family Estate Syrah, Alexander Valley $20
• ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS 2004 Wetzel Family Estate Merlot, Alexander Valley $20
• ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS 2005 "Temptation Zin" California $12
• ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS 2005 "Sin Zin" Alexander Valley $20
• ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS 2003 "Two Barrel" Syrah/Merlot $19
• ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS 2005 New Gewürztraminer, North Coast $9

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DANIEL GEHRS is a friend of long standing.  I met Daniel Gehrs in 1995 when he was the winemaker at ZACA MESA in  Santa Ynez Valley.   Dan made a divine Syrah (among other wines) and forever imprinted on my memory the extraordinary lushness of that Rhône grape.  A veteran winemaker, Dan was a visionary about growing wines in Santa Barbara County when others were barely considering it.   Additionally, he produced small batches of his own wines while working for others-- with the restriction that he would not produce the same varietals he made for his employer.  He founded DANIEL GEHRS WINES in 1990, and now devotes himself  to his brand.   There are many delights to choose among.  Enjoy!

• DANIEL GEHRS WINES 2005 Riesling, Santa Barbara County $15
• DANIEL GEHRS WINES 2005 Eleganza White Wine, Santa Barbara County $28
• DANIEL GEHRS WINES 2004 Carrega Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County $32
• DANIEL GEHRS WINES 2004 Syrah, Santa Barbara County $30
• DANIEL GEHRS WINES 2004 Ozymandias Red Wine, Santa Barbara County $36
• DANIEL GEHRS WINES 2005 Unoaked Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County $15
• DANIEL GEHRS WINES 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County $28
• DANIEL GEHRS WINES 2005 Pinnacles Chenin Blanc, Monterey $12
• DANIEL GEHRS WINES 2005 Gewürztraminer, Central Coast $15

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• GRGICH HILLS 2005 Estate Grown Fumé Blanc (Dry Sauvignon Blanc), Napa Valley $25: "Our Fumé Blanc is estate grown, meaning we control everything from the ground to the bottle. We feel this is essential to achieve the kind of quality, balance and consistency that is Grgich Hills' hallmark. The 2005 Fumé Blanc displays classic varietal flavors of grapefruit, lemongrass and a touch of minerality, a full mouth feel and long finish. This versatile, flavorful white wine is a great companion to a wide variety of food flavors and textures.
• GRGICH HILLS 2004 Estate Grown Chardonnay, Napa Valley $38: " This is the first vintage that our Chardonnay is estate grown, meaning we control everything from the vineyard to the bottle. The grapes were grown organically at our American Canyon and Carneros vineyards, where the coolness allows the grapes to develop complex flavors while maintaining a pleasing natural acidity. We do not allow the Chardonnay to undergo malolactic fermentation. This preserves the wine’s crispness and acidity to balance its concentrated fruit. Our full-bodied, elegant Chardonnay has fresh aromas of acacia and citrus flowers, honey and a touch of mineral.
• GRGICH HILLS 2002 Estate Grown Merlot, Napa Valley $38: "ESTATE GROWN! 2002 marks the debut of those precious words on our Merlot label, meaning that the grapes came from only our estate vineyards and we had total control over their quality from bud break through vinification all the way to the bottling line. As such, you can rest assured this wine will be great. Still a baby, the 2002 Merlot already offers rich red fruit in the mouth – cherries, plums, strawberries, and currants – complemented by notes of cassis, licorice, leather, and a hint of green tea. The mouthfeel is full and structured, yet never loses the suppleness that is Merlot’s hallmark. Pleasantly dusty tannins provide underlying structure, and a long, smooth finish makes this wine eminently sippable.
• GRGICH HILLS 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $58: "2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley In the glass our 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon's deep color promises rich flavors-and it delivers with cassis, blackberries and just a hint of earthy truffles and cedar. In the mouth, the wine is well balanced between acid and tannin and the smooth, velvety finish offers a touch of pepper. Enjoyable upon release, this is a wine that will gain even more complexity with some bottle age. The wine's fine structure and rich flavors make it perfect with grilled and braised meat dishes and hearty cheeses.  

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KENWOOD 2005 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $18: Pinot Noir, the difficult grape, succeeds in this cool,  valley vineyard.   KENWOOD Pinot Noir has impressive complexity of fruit, depth and graceful texture.   For the cool 2005 harvest, Winemaker Pat Henderson waited to pick fully mature grapes. " Eleven months in seasoned French oak barrels added polish and delicate wood nuances.   Aromas and flavors of fresh black raspberry, strawberry and roses, subtle forest earth notes and black raspberry complemented by hints of spice.  Deliciously soft and smooth on the palate, this Pinot Noir shows a bright beam of natural acidity that keeps the fruit front and center through the long, elegant finish.

KENWOOD 2002 Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon Russian River Valley $70: "This 28^th Kenwood Artist Series combines Pat Henderson's excellent wine and Kenjilo Nanao's art.   Initiated in 1975, Kenwood Vineyards Artist Series Cabernet is handcrafted with the finest Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon and labeled with an artist's art work.   From the first release, the Artist Series has become one of California’s most coveted  wines.   ¶   For the 2002 vintage,  Henderson selected the finest hillside-vineyard lots and fermented separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.  The individual lots  were racked into small French oak barrels to age for 26 months.    The best lots were assembled and small percentages of Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from the floor of the Sonoma Valley were incorporated into the final blend to complement the power of the hillside Cabernet Sauvignon with layered complexity and lush, polished texture. After bottling, the 2002 Artist Series was aged an additional 18 months at the winery before release.  ¶   The 2002 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits generous aromas of cassis, red currant and plum, accented by mint and black licorice nuances. Cassis also highlights the bold flavors, but shares the spotlight with pomegranate; subtle spice expands the palate. Luscious body, superb structure and moderate, integrated tannins give this flavorful Cabernet Sauvignon a smooth, velvety mouthfeel, while fine balancing acidity contributes a lithe, lingering finish. Approachable now, this dramatic Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon should continue to evolve in the cellar for at least a decade.  ¶   The 2002 Kenwood Artist Series is certain to become a cellar treasure. Only 1,700 cases were produced.

VALLEY of the MOON 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma $20 comes from a vintage that tested the mettle of Cabernet Sauvignon producers throughout California. Fortunately, experienced wineries managed through careful selection and smart winemaking, to produce compelling Cabernets. Valley of the Moon is such a winery and the just-released 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon displays classic character and full-bodied style.  The young wine was aged two full years in seasoned small French and American oak barrels to soften and gain oak complexity.   Plus, small   percentages of Merlot and Petit Verdot in the blend helped smooth the texture, moderate tannins, and expand the palette of fruit aromas and flavors.      Aromas and flavors of blueberry, currant, allspice and cocoa show concentrated character.  Mouthfilling currant and cherry flavors are accented with generous cedar and anise notes. The taut, well-structured palate is balanced by moderate acidity that extends into the firm finish. 

VALLEY OF THE MOON 2005 Pinot Noir, Carneros, Sonoma $20: Vintage 2005 tested producers' patience. From this extraordinarily cool, extraordinarily fine vintage comes a bold Pinot Noir that shows the benefits of this atypical harvest. Carneros' cool growing conditions lure Pinot Noir plantings, enabling grapes to stay on the vine longer to develop full fruit character, but there's always a risk.   The wine has "Full, forthcoming aromas of blueberry, raspberry and spice signal the 2005 Pinot Noir’s intense character.  Robust blueberry and raspberry flavors are accented by hints of pomegranate, spice and vanilla. A lush, layered palate, with integrated tannins and fine balancing acidity, gives this big-framed Pinot Noir smoothness that can be enjoyed now, but also suggests it will continue to evolve with a few more years of bottle aging."

LAKE SONOMA WINERY 2004 Saini Farms Old Vines Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley $22: " Understated complexity and luscious fruit define this Zin, with Saini Farms' 40 and 71-year-old dry farmed vines.  Early gentle pressing limited tannin extraction, and 18 months in French and American oak barrels gained polish and nuance.   ¶   This wine well defined raspberry and black cherry aromas accented by a generous dash of mint.   Medium-bodied raspberry and blackberry flavors reveal cedar and mint notes with time in the glass. Well-integrated tannins give this Zinfandel uncommon smoothness on the palate, while balanced natural acidity enhances the lingering finish. Already drinking beautifully, it will gain additional smoothness and complexity with short term cellaring. Only 825 cases of the 2004 Lake Sonoma Winery Saini Farms Old Vine Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel were produced.  It is currently available nationally at a suggested retail of $22, but supplies of this delicious Zinfandel may only last a few months.

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CANYON ROAD releases have had just the right amount of time to develop beautifully and are being released.  These balanced, approachable wines offer consistent style and depth--and, outstanding value.  All these wines are made using small-lot fermentation.  This wines is very reliable and a pleasant price.

• CANYON ROAD 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, California $8: "Aromas and flavors of grapefruit, lime and herbaceousness with crisp acidity and clean finish."
• CANYON ROAD 2005 Chardonnay, California $9: "Aromas and flavors of apples, pears,  and citrus with subtle oak and vanilla."
• CANYON ROAD 2004 Merlot, California $10: "Aromas and flavors of cherry, blackberry, olive, and balanced by spicy sweet oak, medium body, creamy texture and gentle tannins."
• CANYON ROAD 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, California $9: "Aromas and flavors of cherry and dark plum, meaty, spicy and smoky notes, supple but substantial palate that finishes with substantial tannins and lingering fruit."            

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St. SUPÉRY makes rich, complex, yet approachable Napa Valley wines with outstanding fruit from estate vineyards, which   dominate the product and winemaking influences are secondary to the grape.   "St. Supéry’s trademark varietals are Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon.  We make several smaller lots of terrific wines, several of which are only available directly through the winery."   St. Supéry meritage red and white Napa Valley wines are blends of classic Bordeaux grape varieties, crafted from estate-grown fruit by Winemaker Michael Beaulac.  Produced in small volumes, these limited release wines are complex, elegant and silky, well balanced and ageworthy, yet with soft tannins and rich mouthfeel.

• St. SUPÉRY 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley $19: Aromas and flavors of grapefruit, lime and honeysuckle with hints of pineapple, nectarine and lemon grass.   The inviting texture is supple with a handsome amount of acidity to keep it fresh.
• St. SUPÉRY 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $28: Densely rich with plum, black cherry and briary hints.  There is an exotic floral note and the palate has bright cheery, cassis, currant and tobacco combine for lingering flavors.  The tannins are fine and altogether the attributes show a lovely balanced wine.
• St. SUPÉRY 2001 Merlot, Napa Valley $24: "The fruit is ripe, rich and distinctive.  Complex aromas and flavors have enticing black cherry, herb tomatoes and truffle, black berry, anise, cassis and white pepper hints.  The tannins are integrated and provide a lingering finish."
• St. SUPÉRY 2002 "Élu" Napa Valley Red Wine $60:   "Seamless and well balanced, the wine is Cabernet Sauvignon based with immensely rich, concentrated currant, cherry and raspberry," says Winemaker Beaulac.   "The palate has complex cherry cinnamon and blackberry flavors that linger.   Tannins, influenced by its Rutherford heritage, are dusty and fine, creating a beautiful finish.  Drink now through 2015."                ______________________________________________________________________________

TAMÁS ESTATES produces estate-grown California-Italian style wines and calls the products "Autentico! Robusto! Perfecto!"   California’s Mediterranean climate and Tamás Estates’ gravelly soils provide ideal conditions for crafting appealing New World interpretations of Old World classics.  The wines are priced for everyday enjoyment and casual meals.  Founded in 1984, TAMÁS Estates is part of the WENTE Family Estates portfolio and its 120 year commitment to winemaking and land stewardship in Livermore Valley.  The labels print the type of wine in huge, very readable letters for easy selection.  Nice touch.   www.tamasestates.com . (925) 456-2380

• TAMÁS ESTATES 2005 Pinot Grigo, Monterey $10: "Aromas and flavors of grapefruit, citrus, coconut and minerals, crisp and delicious with spicy appetizers or light entrees."
• TAMÁS ESTATES 2004 Barbera, Livermore Valley $13: "Aromas and flavors of red cherry and berries with vanilla nuances, ripe fruit flavors with up-front acidity and a smooth finish, enjoy with rich pastas and grilled meats."
• TAMÁS ESTATES 2004 Sangiovese, Livermore Valley $13: "Aromas and flavors of pomegranate and strawberry with integrated tannins, crisp acidity and enjoy with sharp cheeses and tomato-based dishes."
• TAMÁS ESTATES 2004 Zinfandel, Livermore Valley $13: " Aromas and flavors of blackberry and brambleberry jam with a full body, integrated oak and a smooth berry jam, enjoy with any chocolate and prime meat s."     

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BARON HERZOG 2005 Sauvignon Blanc Central Coast, $10:  The hand-harvested grapes from Santa Barbara and Edna Valley  were harvested over 26 days to optimize ripeness and cold fermented (55 to 60ºF) in stainless and 20% aged in new French oak for three months. Fresh flavors of quince, white peach and herbal notes with a fruity finish, enjoy with chilled vegetables, Thai dishes and grilled halibut or chicken.

• BARON HERZOG 2004 Zinfandel Lodi $13: "Young, bright and ripe, this medium bodied Zinfandel is very nice indeed. Generous plum, berry and black cherry fruits set off nicely by spicy hints that play nicely on the palate."
• BARON HERZOG 2004 Special Reserve Syrah, Edna Valley $30: "Edna Valley produces distinctive Syrah grapes that make elegant wines.  Look for aromas of white pepper, violet, raspberry, and spice, a wine with beautiful structure and soft mouth feel. Herzog Syrah Special Reserve may be aged, in proper condition, for three to four years past vintage, but is exquisite now. Savor it with roasts, pasta dishes with meat, or veal piccata."

• BARON HERZOG 2004 Reserve Late Harvest Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg: "This Late Harvest Chenin Blanc is naturally sweet with apple and pear flavors.  It is viscous, full-bodied and silky smooth. Best Served With: Cheeses, Pasta, Veal & Chicken."                 ____________________________________________________________________________

WAKEFIELD Winemaker Adam Eggins, Winestate Magazine Australian Winemaker of the Year, is chief winemaker at Clare Valley winery, Wakefield.    ¶   Wakefield wines achieved success particularly on 2006 the international show circuit, with its premium, single vineyard St Andrews label becoming the star performer –with the 2001 St Andrews Riesling taking Best New World Riesling at the International Riesling Competition in Germany.  The 2001 St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon  took trophies for Best Cabernet Sauvignon and Best Single Estate Wine at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in London in 2005. ¶  
Adam Eggins has been chief WAKEFIELD winemaker since 2000 and has been widely regarded as producing some of the best value and highest quality wines in Australia. www.winestate.com.au   Wakefield - 100% under screw cap since  2004.  Please see current releases below.

• WAKEFIELD Estate 2005 Clare Valley Riesling $17
• WAKEFIELD Estate 2004 Clare Valley Shiraz $17
• WAKEFIELD Estate 2004 Clare Valley Chardonnay
• WAKEFIELD "Promised Land" 2005 Clare Valley Riesling $13
• WAKEFIELD "Promised Land" 2005 Clare Valley Chardonnay $13
• WAKEFIELD "Promised Land" 2004 Clare Valley Cabernet-Shiraz $13   

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J. DAVIES, a very special still wine from the famed  sparking wine producers of Schramsberg, honors founder Jack Davies.  Hugh Davies and his mother Jamie have released the J. DAVIES 2003 Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon from their estate vineyards.   Hugh and his winemaking team crafted a Cabernet that expresses the historic vineyards he has explored since childhood, giving him 40 years of intimate knowledge of a place from which to create a world class red wine.  It is the product of twelve years of research and experimentation, carried out by winemakers Hugh Davies, Craig Roemer, and consulting enologist Alan Tenscher. The first red table wine grapes were planted on the Davies family Napa Valley estate in 1994. Vineyard layout, rootstock, clonal and grape variety selection were revised over time with a particular emphasis on refining the tight structure and tannic nature characteristic of Diamond Mountain hillside fruit.  Interesting facts include: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 2% Merlot.  The average yields is 2 tons per acre.  Oak barrel aging: 19 months--50% new oak, 50% single-vintage barrels; bottle aging for 11 months; bottled unfined and unfiltered.  “Forward, enticing aromas of ripe blackberry fruit are lifted by notes of anise and clove.  The Richly structured mid-palate resonates deep black fruit with hints of balanced toasty oak.  Smooth and elegant Diamond Mountain tannins sustain a lengthy textured finish.” 

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• NAPA RIDGE 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley $12: "This elegant wine delivers complex melon, kiwi and mint flavors; refreshing with a crisp finish."
• NAPA RIDGE 2005 Zinfandel, Napa Valley $12: "Laden with flavors of currants, cranberry and plum, sharing the stage with vanilla spice and a hint of black pepper and soft tannins have a lingering finish."
• NAPA RIDGE 2003 Syrah, Napa Valley $12: "Rich flavors cloak the senses as blackberry, plum and hints of chocolate, coffee and vanilla marry with gentle tannins."

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KENDALL-JACKSON Grand Reserve 2005 Jackson Estates Grown Chardonnay $20 is pure deliciousness.  It is a masterful blend of mountain, hillside, ridge and benchland grapes grown along California's cool coastal appellations.  Rich, lush, layered and beautifully structured, you'll want to serve it again and again.  I served this wine (with several other red and white wines) at an auction event which sold an evening of tasting wines at my table.   Everyone loved it!   KENDALL-JACKSON Grand Reserve 2004 Jackson Estates Grown Cabernet Sauvignon $26 comes from a vintage characterized by a cool and long summer with more sunny days than recent summers.  Vice-president George Rose tells me that a mild, frost-free spring got the grapevines off to a quick growing season.  A few hot days balanced with unusually temperate July and August gave the grapes a precision climate for reaching full flavor and maximum phenolic maturity before harvest.  Winemaker Randy Ullom says the wines has "well defined currants, blackberry, blueberry and cassis for an abundant fruit on the attack.  Study, complex tannins balance the acidity throughout and notes of smoke, mocha, cedar and lots of rich oak round off the long, earthy, heady finish."  Better get a big box!    

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DRY CREEK VINEYARDS' Bill Smart tells me that the DRY CREEK Fumé Blanc has quintessential varietal character and has been the benchmark wine in California and a flagship at their winery for over three decades.  Enough said--it is fabulous!   The Heritage Zinfandel is of ten my "house wine" to serve to friends for a delicious red when they come to visit: Fruit-forward, wines, fresh and approachable.   Enjoy!

• DRY CREEK VINEYARDS 2004 Heritage Zinfandel, Sonoma County $15
• DRY CREEK VINEYARDS 2005 Fumé Blanc, Sonoma County $13.50

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HOGUE Cellars has released three handsome reserve wines.  Winemaker David Forsyth is a friend of long standing and I've enjoyed our association over these many years.  One year when I was judging wines in Washington I drove to the winery to join David and his winemaking team to taste through several components and batches and samples to describe them for winemaking decisions.  It was informational and fun.   In any event, I continue to admire his abilities and am so pleased to stay in touch.  These latest releases are really worth the search.  David selects the best vineyard lots that age in their best barrels for 14 to 25 months on the lees to develop richness.

• HOGUE Cellars 2004 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, Washington $22: "The combination of fruit intensity and barrel aging creates a wine with aromas and flavors of complex fruit, pear, cream, well-integrated oak, brioche and a touch of allspice, almond and balance with good acidity."  Pair with rich seafoods, Dungness crab cakes, broiled halibut and creamy pastas.
• HOGUE Cellars 2003 Reserve Merlot Columbia Valley, Washington $30: "Our reserve wines can be savored now or will age well.  It has aromas and complex flavors of black olive, cocoa, roasted coffee beans, dark ripe plums and earthiness.  Pair with filet mignon and blue cheese."
• HOGUE Cellars 2003 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington $30: "Aromas and flavors are ripe cherries, plums,  blackberries,   black olive, caramel and hints of cedar, firmly structured with excellent aging potential."

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CHATEAU MONTELENA, created by Alfred Tubbs in 1882, prized the well-drained, stony, loose soils at the base of Mount Saint Helena.  He bought 254 acres and within a decade had vineyards, his Chateau Montelena (a contracted form of Mount Saint Helena), and was the seventh largest in the Napa Valley in 1896.   The Chateau Montelena Winery and the Estate vineyard renaissance began under the leadership of James Barrett.  The vineyard was cleared and replanted with the highest-quality grapes in the Napa Valley, and the Chateau outfitted with modern winemaking equipment.  In 1972 wines were made for the first time.   In 1976 Chateau Montelena helped put California at the forefront of the wine world. That year a who's-who of the French wine and food establishment gathered for a grand tasting at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Paris. Four white Burgundies were tasted against six California Chardonnays. When the scores were tallied, the French Judges were convinced that the top-ranking white wine was one of their own. In fact, it was Chateau Montelena's 1973 Chardonnay, rated above all other wines.   The results proved that Chateau Montelena could produce some of the world's finest wines, and that California's wine industry had come of age.   Today, my friend Bo Barrett

• CHATEAU MONTELENA 2004 Chardonnay, Napa Valley $38: "Winemaker's Notes: Our Chardonnay vineyards gives us early bud break and early ripening, a distinct advantage in 2004, because we harvested fruit with good physiological maturity well before any impact from September heat with nice even ripening conditions for most of the growing season.  Chardonnay harvest amounted to an average size with virtually all chardonnay grapes harvested at night for good cool fruit.  Among other benefits, this helps these grapes retain more of the positive flavor and aroma characteristics than in a daytime harvest. We used two pressing methods this year: whole cluster, where bunches are pressed intact; and de-stemmed, where berries are knocked off the stalks, cracking the grape-skins prior to pressing. The first method is gentler and yields bright, delicate fruit flavors. The second method involves a little extraction of flavor and aroma compounds from the grape-skins, giving us big bold aromatics. In 2004, with the prime ripe fruit, we de-stemmed 43% and whole cluster pressed 57%. This year’s Chardonnay shows a very typical Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley ripeness with excellent character.    Aromas of  green apple, melon, and grapefruit combine for complexity with added floral tones– perhaps a benefit of night harvesting.  The palate has a soft entry leading to a round, full-flavored impression of fruit, melon and citrus rind. It is elegant and balanced: supple, yet with crisp acidity, a direct result of no malolactic fermentation. This wine is a classic Chateau Montelena Chardonnay of strong yet fresh fruit flavors, elegant and refreshing, stylish with bold balance.
• CHATEAU MONTELENA 2003 Estate Zinfandel, Napa Valley $28: "Winemaker's Notes--The deeply colored wine is dark purple to the edge of the glass, typical of a red wine from a warmer harvest.  The aroma is an immediately appealing bowl of berry, raspberry and plums with characteristic smoky Zinfandel blend of briar, and cedar box. The expectations created by these inviting aromas are fully met on the palate as spicy dark fruit flavors swathe the palate, and the warm-harvest concentration is balanced by the wine’s soft, round body. The finish is long and stylish, preparing you for that next bite from the grill. Despite the heat at harvest, our “winemaking in the vineyard” has allowed us to stay true to our elegant, balanced claret style, uncommon among Zinfandels today.
• CHATEAU MONTELENA 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $40": "Winemaker's Notes: Dark ruby red color with complex aromas that show the influence from both the moderate and the warm periods of this long vintage. The wine has ripe jammy fruit aromas of plum and black currant,  less obvious tones of licorice and earthy complexity from the cool middle of the season.   The entry is round and full, while the mid-palate yields a graceful weight and balance with soft tannins.  Notes of pepper add complexity to the smooth, rich cassis dominated flavors. Characteristic of Montelena Cabernet, there is a nice, finely polished tannic structure to the lengthy finish. As we release this wine in the Spring of 2006 it will require a few minutes to show its fullness, but as we move past Spring and Summer our 2003 vintage will flow from the bottle.
• CHATEAU MONTELENA 2003 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $95: "Winemaker's Notes--The 2002 growing season would appear “normal” by a simple review of the numbers.   And although our annual rainfall was close to average, the rain fell mainly between November, 2001 and January, 2002, with very little precipitation in early spring.   February and March were warm as well as dry, leading to an early bud break. The growing season was prolonged by cool weather in June and July, and then August heated up. Two weeks of high temperatures in the last half of September allowed us to finish harvest at the Estate on a fairly normal timeline around the middle of October. But our early bud break gave us a very long growing season and the dry soils produced grapes with minimal water content, yielding a crop of less than 2 tons to the acre of small, highly concentrated berries. The extended hang time ensured full, complex flavor development. Our 2002 has a dark, inky-purple color, and  pronounced aromatic bouquet of ripe fruit, cassis and earth.  The wine’s diverse, complex and powerful flavor profile - with ripe cassis, blackberry, and black cherry flavors supported by hints of tar and earth - prove that the painstaking and slow process of partial row harvesting was well worth the effort. The tiny cabernet berries from the vineyard’s dry soils produced powerful yet silky tannins and a refreshing backbone of acidity which, combined with its bold structure and rich flavors, infused it with plenty of power to age for a long while. The wine is elegant, showy and polished, with plenty of body and plush ripeness. Enjoy the powerful, vibrant fruit now by opening a few bottles, and then wait a couple years for the concentrated, distinctive Montelena character to evolve before opening the rest." 

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BRIDLEWOOD Estate Winery, on a hillside in the heart of Santa Barbara County wine country,"is completely dedicated to the pleasures of wine - and serious about Syrah.  Our carefully crafted wines demonstrate our commitment to the flavors of great grapes from vineyard to vineyard throughout the Central Coast.  If you are serious about Syrah, or if you simply seek the best of everything in the wine country lifestyle, Bridlewood welcomes you."

• BRIDLEWOOD Estate Winery 2003 Estate Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley $40: ". . . is designed to show what proper site selection, old world wine making techniques and new world vineyard management can do to distinguish our Estate’s terrior.  All estate wines are harvested under winemaker David Hopkins’ direction and de-stemmed without crushing berries into open top fermenters. The wine is gently pressed using a basket press. After settling for 72 hours, the wine is racked to a mixture of small French oak barrels where it is allowed to age for 24 months prior to bottling.  The wine emerges with vanilla, cocoa powder, spicy oak and deep dark floral accents. Once decanted, the Estate Syrah develops dark cassis and licorice notes with hints of mocha.  A beautiful wine, which perfectly balances fruit, spice, and oak.   The flavors develop through exposure to air and start with dark fruit flavors of cassis, dried black fruit, and a mocha and dark chocolate layer emerge and meld with fruit flavors.  Full of soft, chewy tannins, the fruit characters are enhanced by a moderate licorice and herbal spice which carry through the long mid-palette to a lingering finish."
• BRIDLEWOOD Estate Winery 2004 Arabesque, Central Coast $24: "A blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Counoise, Cinsault, Syrah and Viognier, Arabesque is immediately approachable.  It shows fruit forward aromas of cherry and pomegranate with just a toasty note of cigar box from oak aging.  Allow breathe to capture the strawberry and cherry, cocoa powder, smoky game and tobacco.  It has medium body and light tannins with spice and cedar, a crisp finish and soft tannins allow for a silky mouthfeel and a long elegant finish."

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THOMAS FOGARTY tells me that what began as a pastime, is today the Thomas Fogarty Winery and Vineyard, one of the San Francisco Peninsula's most respected wineries. Twenty five acres of Burgundian-style varietals are planted on the 325 acre estate.  Thomas Fogarty invite you to experience "the flavors of the fruit" from our beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains winery.

• THOMAS FOGARTY 2004 Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Crus Mountains (SCM) $45: "This Pinot Noir blends our two Estate vineyards. The Sky Vineyard always produces gorgeous aromatics--rose hips, tart cherries and cola. Our Rapley Trail vineyard’s aromatics are  black pepper and spice.  The wine has well structured, elegant mouthfeel.  Fine tannins and bright acidity frame bright fruit flavors of cherries and rhubarb with a hint of earthiness.  Drinking well now, this wine should age well for another 3-7 years."
• THOMAS FOGARTY 2004 Estate Chardonnay, Santa Crus Mountains $36: "The wine has aromas of crushed rock, fresh lemon and a hint of chalk on the nose. The palate offers the distinctive SCM minerality and stoniness, as well as apple, lemon and white peach flavors.  Light cream and toast accompany the luxuriously textured finish. This wine drinks well now, especially with food, but will certainly be more accessible in another year to four years of bottle age."
• THOMAS FOGARTY 2005 Gewürztraminer, Monterey $17: "Our Gewürztraminer has become one of the signature wines of Thomas Fogarty Winery.  It is always delightfully dry on the palate, but full of tropical fruit, white flowers and spice (particularly ginger). The 2005 vintage produced some beautifully exotic yet elegant Gewürztraminer, with great balance of fruit, spice and freshness.                     ___________________________________________________________________________

DOMAINE FAMILLE LIGNERES, a family owned winery in the Corbières region of Southern France, produces three tiers of wines: DOMAINE FAMILLE LIGNERES Les Cuvées, a series of limited production, single-vineyard cuvées; DOMAINE FAMILLE LIGNERES Le Signal, a red wine with great depth and concentration at a reasonable price; DOMAINE FAMILLE LIGNERES La Baronne, a red, white, and rosé crafted from 125-year-old family estate.   "Our 235 acres of vineyards encompass 17 distinctive soil types and multiple microclimates.  Our intention is to make wines with more weight, more aroma, more dimension,more focus, more varietal definition and most importantly, allowing more terroir to shine through in every cuvée.  We affectionately refer to them as 'World Class Wines from a Mythical Mountain.'" 

• DOMAINE FAMILLE LIGNERES Les Cuvées 2002 Cabanon de Pascal, Red Table Wine (Grenache and Merlot) $23
• DOMAINE FAMILLE LIGNERES Les Cuvées 2002 ARIC, Red Table Wine (Carignan, Mourvedre,Syrah) $20
• DOMAINE FAMILLE LIGNERES Les Cuvées 2002 Notre Dame Syrah, Corbières $23
• DOMAINE FAMILLE LIGNERES Les Cuvées 2002 Las Vals (70% Roussanne) White Table Wine $20
• DOMAINE FAMILLE LIGNERES Les Cuvées 2002 Piece de Roche Carignan $30

                  ____________________________________________________________________________KIM CRAWFORD 2006 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand $18: "Kim Crawford Wines are celebrating their 2006 Air New Zealand Wine Awards results, winning six golds and an astonishing haul of medals - 30 from the 40 Kim Crawford wines entered. Kim Crawford said “Six golds and thirty medals overall is a great follow up for our winemaking team after winning Champion Wine of Show at the same competition last year.”  In 2005 Kim Crawford Wines made show history winning Champion Wine of Show with a Sauvignon Blanc for the first time since the awards began in 1988. Taking four gold medals for Sauvignon Blanc, consolidates Kim Crawford Wines’ reputation as a leading producer of the New Zealand wine industry’s biggest selling and most commercially critical wine.

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JARVIS Winery is noted for its ultra-premium, estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot,   and Petit Verdot. All  grapes grow on its estate vineyards and the wines are made in an extraordinary cave cellar four miles east of Napa.

• JARVIS Winery 2002 Estate Lake William, Napa Valley $75: "This wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon blend named after the lake that borders and cools the estate vineyards that grow the blend grapes.  The content varies per vintage by decision of Winemaker Dimitri Tchelistcheff.  This blend is 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Cabernet Franc, 21% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec.  It aged 20 months in 100% new French Nevers, which adds toasty vanilla to the rich violet aromas and elegant blackberry flavors. It has charming freshness for drinking young but will also enjoy a cellar through 2012."
• JARVIS Winery 2002 Estate Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley $70: "Competing against 900 wines in the prestigious VinoChallenge International competition, this wine earned two gold medals and was chosen "Best Wine of Show."  Dimitri considers sit one of the best wines he produces.  Deep lavender in color, 18 months in new French Nevers adds toasty vanilla, to the peach and cassis aromas and spicy blueberry and black cherry flavors that linger elegantly throughout the finish." 
• JARVIS Winery 2002 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $90: "A typical Napa Valley foothills 2002 harvest created this remarkable 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.  It has intense dried fruit aromas with robust candied fruit and allspice in its parade of flavors, toasty vanilla and will age beautifully to 2016."

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JOSEPH PHELPS founded JOSEPH PHELPS Winery in 1972 as an independent, estate-based winery near St. Helena in bucolic Spring Valley overlooking the Mayacamas Mountains to the west.   After years of studying the complex relationship between wine quality and place, and understanding the importance of "terroir," Phelps has developed estate-owned vineyards in the premiere growing regions of Stag's Leap, Rutherford, Oakville, Oak Knoll and the eastern foothills of Napa. In Sonoma County, an ambitious project was undertaken in 1999 to purchase land and develop vineyards along the western frontier of the Sonoma Coast, and today Phelps has 80 acres of Pinot Noir and 20 acres of Chardonnay planted in Freestone. A small winery in the midst of the Freestone vineyards is currently under construction.  
Varietals produced annually at Phelps include Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Insignia (one of California's most successful first growth luxury blends), Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, several Rhône-style wines, and a luscious dessert wine made from Scheurebe.  Annual production fluctuates between 65-80,000 cases, and it is a source of pride that 90% of all wine produced comes from estate-owned vineyards.

• JOSEPH PHELPS Winery 2003 Insignia, Napa Valley $165: Winemaker Craig Williams tells me that "our grapes were between Sept. 22 – Oct. 21 at an average 25.5ºBrix, fermented in stainless steel tanks then aged 24 months in new 60-gallon French oak barrels by a variety of French coopers including Taransaud, Dargaud Jaegle, Nadalie, Demptos and Vicard. The wine was blended and bottled in February, 2006.  The 2003 Insignia is layered with aromas of blackberries, black cherries, anise, dark chocolate and coffee. The aromas and flavors are framed by mouth-coating tannins and followed by an extremely long finish.
• JOSEPH PHELPS Winery 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley $30: "The 2005 Sauvignon Blanc has aromatic characteristics ranging from floral and mineral notes to citrus and green melon. The expressive palate is clean and balanced with excellent richness and length. The 2005 was unusually late due to mild temperatures that averaged between 70-80°. From August 1 to October 31, only 15 days exceeded 90°. Despite this, color and flavors developed early on, with good sugars, though acids took longer to develop in the ripening fruit.  The first grapes (Sauvignon Blanc) came in September 11th, exactly one month later than the previous year. Fermenting juice showed great color, balance and flavor, similar to the cool growing seasons of ’91, ’94, ’95 and ’99.  The vintage was also characterized by high yields. A wet spring increased tonnage by an average of 30% over expectations, and given that the 2004 vintage came in at 40-45% under projections, there was a 70% swing between the two years, making 2005 yields seem even higher.   Depending on vineyard and crop balance, there will be variability in fruit quality. Grapes picked in October were more mature and not as soluble as fruit picked earlier, making it harder to extract tannins during fermentation. However we were extremely fortunate that the weather stayed dry and mild as long as it did, allowing fruit to avoid dehydration from conditions that were too warm, and not from weather that was too wet."

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RODNEY STRONG Vineyards has released two lovely wines, the Sonoma County Chardonnay and the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.  I have enjoyed Rodney Strong wines for two decades and still hold dear his memory and flair for the dance.  Many times we danced and sang as he escorted me across the floor, around the terrace and even on the front porch of Madrona Manor when we first met.  His death last year left a huge vacant spot.  The wines are a fortunate ongoing heritage.

• RODNEY STRONG Vineyards 2005 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $20: "Supple in texture, with rose petal and red fruit aromas, this lively, medium bodied wine is aged in predominantly French oak, which adds a subtle, toasty vanilla character. Ideal for current enjoyment, this pinot noir will hold nicely over the next two to three years.  Rod Strong was among the first modern wine pioneers with a vision to plant pinot noir in the Russian River Valley. In 1968 he planted our heritage River East Vineyard in the alluvial clay-loam soils adjacent to the winery in Healdsburg. Today the Russian River Valley is well established as one of the premier pinot noir growing regions in the world, and we continue to rely on the original River East Vineyard as a core contributor to our estate vineyard bottling.  During the growing season, the Russian River Valley is greatly subjected to cool Pacific Ocean air, which is pulled in each afternoon as warm air in the interior valleys rises. This ocean air condenses, and the resulting nightly fog is slow to burn off, with vineyards frequently fogged-in as late as noon!  The 2005 vintage began with a rather late bud break during an unseasonably cool and wet spring. Record May rains luckily came before bloom for pinot noir, and an average to cool summer contributed to a harvest about three weeks later than normal. Fortunately harvest conditions were rain free with ideal temperatures for all varietals, and we finished bringing in our pinot noir by the 3rd of October.
• RODNEY STRONG Vineyards 2005 Sonoma County Chardonnay $15: "Bright lemon and apple aromas mingle with hints of toasty barrel complexity, and on the palate, pear and pineapple with spice and refreshing acidity will have you coming back for another glass. Enjoy this lively Chardonnay now and over the next couple of years.  Nearly four decades ago we discovered that the west and southwestern regions of Sonoma County are ideal for growing chardonnay grapes. The cool maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean arriving reliably in the form of fog each summer evening maintains the bright natural acidity that is key to the balance of any fine Chardonnay, while the warm summer afternoons we enjoy ensure plenty of ripe fruit character. A combination of estate grown and locally farmed fruit, we source the benchland and alluvial soils from some 300 acres of vineyard in the Russian River, Chalk Hill, and Sonoma Coast appellations in the making of this wine.  The 2005 vintage began with a rather late bud break during an unseasonably cool and wet spring . Record May rains luckily came before bloom for chardonnay, and an average to cool summer contributed to a harvest about three weeks later than normal. Fortunately harvest conditions were rain free with ideal temperatures for all varietals, and we finished bringing in our chardonnay by the 22nd of October.

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ICON Estates is a portfolio of wineries, vineyards and estates that represents icons of the fine wine world.  From Robert Mondavi’s envied To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville to Simi’s 100-year-old stone cellars, and Ravenswood’s powerful “No Wimpy Wines,” each winery has its own reason for being.  ICON has several new wine releases for your pleasure.

• ROBERT MONDAVI WINERY 2004 Chardonnay Reserve Carneros, Napa Valley $35: "Opulent and complex, with ripe apple, kiwi, stone fruit and floral fruit character.   Rich, expansive flavors balanced with acidity.  Toasty vanilla spice and creme brulee nuances weave through the lush fruit character and linger on the long finish."
• ROBERT MONDAVI WINERY 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Napa Valley $125: "
• FRANCISCAN Oakville Estate 2005 Chardonnay, Napa Valley $17: "This wine showcases the generous Chardonnay fruit from our Napa Valley vineyards. Rich, ripe and exotic, it strikes a balance of ripe Napa Valley fruit with nuances of sweet oak from 100% barrel fermentation and extended barrel age. Use of wild yeast in a portion of the fermentation and sur lie aging adds layers of complexity."
• FRANCISCAN Oakville Estate 2003 Magnificat, Napa Valley $45: "Aromas of plums and dried cherries, hints of tobacco, rich chocolate and soft violet.  It has complex layers of mixed dark cherry, clove and cocoa fill the mouth.  Elegant and soft, the supple tannins infuse the palate and bring the wine to a long finish with hints of sweet toasty oak and a touch of cocoa.
• MOUNT VEEDER WINERY 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $40: "Rich and complex aromas and flavors of black cherry, plum, can cassis. Soft hints of black pepper and tobacco are accented by vanilla, dark chocolate and leather.  Full and supple with luscious tannins.  A bold structure with appealing texture is balanced by delectable blackberry, cocoa and cedar leading to a long, rich finish."

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DUCKHORN VINEYARDS, founded 30 years ago, has focused on the cultivation and crafting of exceptional Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  Over the years, this emphasis has evolved into an estate program comprised of six vineyard properties.  Offering distinctive variations in soils, microclimate and exposure, the grapes from these sites embody the expansive character of Napa Valley winegrowing, and contribute to a full range of DUCKHORN Vineyards wines.  Please treat yourself and enjoy all of them.

• DUCKHORN VINEYARDS 2003 Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $90: ". . . comes from an excellent vintage that offers great structure, ample tannins and potential for aging.  The grapes from three Duckhorn estates craft this complex, full-bodied wine.  Winemaker Mark Beringer's core of fruit delivers robust red-fruit flavors and soft tannins with blue fruit notes and earthy minerality that add nuances in layers."
• DUCKHORN VINEYARDS 2004 Napa Valley Merlot $50: ". . . made from an array of estate and other vineyards, the wine is blended to reflect the diversity of   the entire Napa Valley appellation.  It is dynamically constructed, food friendly and combines strawberry jam flavors dark berries and a briary intensity."
• DECOY (Duckhorn's sister label) 2004 Napa Valley Red Wine $28: "The wine benefits from the winery's rich palette of estate vineyards.  The Bordeaux-varietal-inspired DECOY interprets Napa Valley red winemaking and consists of 35% estate fruit including Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to balance the forward fruit with bright acidity and well-integrated tannins."

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CORLEY FAMILY NAPA VALLEY MONTICELLO Director of Marketing Stephen Corley tells me they have released two new Chardonnays.  Stephen says the 2005 CORLEY RESERVE Estate Grown Chardonnay "is our premier offering of varietal designated wines from MONTICELLO Vineyards.  The reserve wine continues a tradition of family designated wines first begun in 1982.   Our 2005 MONTICELLO VINEYARDS Chardonnay also continues in our tradition of estate grown wines begun with our inaugural vintage in 1980."  The Corleys keep things in the family with Kevin Corley as winegrower and Chris Corley as the winemaker. 

• 2005 CORLEY RESERVE Estate Grown Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District $40 (267 cases produced)
• 2005  MONTICELLO VINEYARDS Estate Grown Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District, $26 (3500 cases)

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WOLF BLASS' Winemaker Chris Hatcher helped pioneer the use of screw cap closures in Australia.  He believes screw caps ensure the character of the wine and deliver consistently high quality that tastes the way the winemaker intended, so he uses them on the Yellow Label collection with a brand new entry--Wolf Blass South Australian Riesling, a crisp, aromatic white with mouth-watering acidity, and the established favorite, the fruit-forard Yellow Labbel Shiraz. 

• WOLF BLASS Yellow Label 2004 South Australia Shiraz $12
• WOLF BLASS  Yellow Label 2004 South Australia Riesling $12

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ZD WINES: "Before producing any measurable quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon, ZD Wines experimented with small lots of this great varietal with grapes from many growing regions.  The quest for locating the winegrapes that would best reflect ZD's style ended in 1983 - four years after ZD moved to its home in Rutherford, Napa Valley.  This premiere growing area for Cabernet Sauvignon focused the de Leuze family on the varietal.  They planted Cabernet on the property's surrounding 3.2 acres of sloping, eastern benchland.  At the same time, they sought winegrapes from low-yielding vineyards producing intensely flavored fruit.  Significant to ZD's style of Cabernet is its predominant use of hillside winegrapes.  Although Cabernet Sauvignon was not part of the original production plan when ZD Wines was founded, it has become a highly acclaimed complement to ZD's family of wines.  The wine is opulent and rich, with just a hint of "Rutherford Dust" in its reserve blend.    

The winemaking begins in the vineyard with fruit grown in Napa Valley viticultural areas.  It is hand harvested at full maturity, generally in early October, and grapes are transported to the winery where they are destemmed and crushed.   Fermentation is in open-top stainless steel tanks with the cap (skins and seeds) gently punched down every eight hours to maximize flavor and minimize harsh tannins.   Frequent tasting of the fermenting juice determines the precise moment to remove skins and seeds to prevent overly tannic wine. Fermentation lasts between 6 and 14 days, and vineyard lots are kept separate, then put into 50-60 gallon oak barrels for aging over a 24-month period. The reserve blend spends an extra year in the barrel.   Each lot shows differences that the winemaker will blend to the proper proportions for this particular wine, adding layers of complexity to the final wine. After blending, the final wine is barreled so individual aromatics and flavors are allowed to marry.  ZD Cabernet Sauvignon is consistently a rich, flavorful wine that is well balanced. It demonstrates the full spectrum of varietal character.

• ZD WINES 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $50: "Aromas and flavors of black cherries, cassis, plums and cocoa, tobacco and sweet toasty vanilla and soft tannins."

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CANTINE LEONARDO DA VINCI is a grower's cooperative with over 500 hectares (1,236 acres) under vines throughout the Chianti Region.  Located in Vinci, Italy, the intention is to produce Chianti in a "New World approach to an Old World classic."  Three new wines have been released.

• DA VINCI 2005 Chianti DOCG $16: "Aromas of red fruit and peppery notes.  Medium weight with flavors of plums, cherries and a lively soft mineral finish with round tannins."
• DA VINCI 2004 Chianti Classico $24: "Optimum color and supple tannins; aromas of spice, cedar, black cherries and plums; a well-balanced wine medium to full body with ripe flavors of plums, cherries and dark fruit, well structured and a silky mouthfeel."
• DA VINCI 2003 Chianti Reserva $27: Distinctly fruity bouquet with dark cherry overtones balanced by hints of vanilla and cinnamon.  The flavor has spicy undertones and fruit of the bouquet supported by balanced, soft, fine tannins and a full mineral finish."

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CHALONE VINYARD is releasing the second vintage of its line of Monterey County wines--first introduced in 2005.  Producers tell me that the "elegant and classic estate wines come solely from our estate vineyard in the Chalone appellation, while these wines are sourced from vineyards throughout the Monterey County appellation.   The goal is to mix the essence of Monterey County with the style of Chalone."

• CHALONE VINYARD 2004 Merlot, Monterey County $14: "It is rich, soft, full of flavor and very approachable. 
• CHALONE VINYARD 2005 Pinot Noir, Monterey County $14: "Cellar work retained the richness and character of the wine--black cherries, hints of clove, nutmeg, ripe raspberries and cola, full bodied and balanced acidity."
• CHALONE VINYARD 2005 Chardonnay, Monterey County $10: "Cool climate freshness in the fruit and good viscous texture and body with classic citrus-pineapple tropical fruit and crisp acidity."

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COASTAL RIDGE has two new releases.

• COASTAL RIDGE 2004 Johannisberg Riesling, California $7: "spice, peach and honey flavors."
• COASTAL RIDGE 2003 Pinot Noir, California $7: "soft tannins, blcak cherry, plum and strawberry flavors"

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Taste³ Conference Unveils First Look at Speakers
For three days this May, Robert Mondavi Winery’s Taste3 Conference will bring 300 people together for one of the most unique and compelling gatherings of the year. The emphasis is on food, wine, and art but as you will see from this first group of speakers, we have a rich palate and look forward to a vibrant interdisciplinary exploration of ideas, trends, passions, stories, solutions and connections.

Join us May 6-8, 2007 in Napa Valley, California,   for eight speaker sessions, world-class food, wine and networking, and special behind-the-scenes pre-conference field trips. Seating is limited and the conference is expected to sell out.

A sampling of our 2007 presenters includes:

• Paul Stamets, mycologist, on how mushrooms can save the world.
• Maurizio Cellura, associate professor of environmental physics, University of Palermo on the environmental impact of one bottle of wine.
• Christopher McDougall, freelance journalist and author on the Tarahumara tribe’s astonishing health while violating most conventional notions of nutrition and exercise.
• Hermann Freidanck, head of food and beverages, Singapore Airlines on developing a menu for 39,000 feet.
• Mike Kuniavsky, researcher and designer, on the intersection of high technology and everyday life. He'll help us understand what the kitchen/home of the future really could and should look like.
• Audio-architect to some of New York’s top hotels and restaurants, Nemo Librizzi on the relationship between food and music in site-specific environments.
• Olivia Wu, journalist, on the emerging wine culture in China.
• Roger Corder, professor of experimental therapeutics at the William Harvey Research Institute in London with the new realities of wine and health.
• Meg Hourihan, co-founder of Blogger on the power of online technology and social networking as it intersects the food and wine world.
• David Molyneaux-Berry, M.W., turns a magnifying glass on the underground world of counterfeit wine.

Without giving too much away, we will also hear from:

• Randall Grahm, iconoclastic vintner, Bonny Doon Vineyard
• Dave Arnold, director of culinary technology at the French Culinary Institute
• Dan Barber, chef/owner, Blue Hill & Blue Hill at Stone Barns
• Leo McCloskey, president and co-founder, Enologix, Inc.
• Tom Rielly, satirist and stand-up comic
• Rives, an academic-turned-slam powerhouse, and one of the most original talents on the spoken word scene.
• Ben Roche, pastry chef, Moto Restaurant & Director of R & D for Cantu Designs

This is only the beginning, we still have another half of the program to announce, along with introductions to this year’s session hosts (who hardly need any introduction), and many exciting dinners, parties and expeditions.  We hope to see you in May! www.taste3.com

THE GREENING OF CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTY, Regional Wine Associations Share Local Examples of Sustainable Winegrowing   Being good neighbors and stewards of the land are important values in the wine community.  A healthy, beautiful environment benefits everyone, and earth-friendly methods also produce high quality winegrapes and leave a legacy for future generations.     Building on these  regional efforts, California’s vintners and winegrowers introduced in 2002 the statewide Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices – a management guide and self-evaluation tool covering all aspects of winegrape growing and winemaking.  The Code includes methods for reducing water and energy use, minimizing pesticide use, building healthy soil, protecting air and water quality, recycling natural resources, maintaining surrounding habitat, providing employee education, communicating with neighbors about vineyard and winery operations, and more.   Several thousand vintners and growers participated in workshops, and more than 1,300 have evaluated their operations to expand their sustainable winegrowing practices.  The effort is the first time an entire industry sector has scientifically documented their level of sustainability.  The results are published in the 2004 California Wine Community Sustainability Report at: http://www.sustainablewinegrowing.org/reports/index.html.    Many on-the-ground examples illustrate California wine community’s commitment to being a global leader in sustainability.          LAKE COUNTY     The cool mountain climate is unfavorable to many pests and diseases that trouble other regions.  This natural advantage helps reinforce growers' commitment to preserve the land and other natural resources.      LODI   The “Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing”  builds upon Lodi’s long-standing leadership in environmentally friendly farming.  Growers believe the program will lead to higher quality Lodi wines.   In the first year, 2005, 1,400 acres were certified under the program.  A proposed 6,200 acres will be audited in the fall of 2006.  “Lodi Rules” wines will be distinguished by the red “Lodi Rules” logo on the label.   NAPA VALLEY  Vintners and growers have developed a voluntary program called Napa Green to enhance the watershed and restore habitat through sustainable agriculture practices--there are 17,000 acres enrolled in the program.  The program is being expanded to develop a code of sustainable practices throughout the winemaking process.  About 40 Napa wineries participate in the program, including Beringer Vineyards, Saintsbury, Peju Province, Trinchero Family Estates and Larkmead Vineyards.  PASO ROBLES  Many leading examples of sustainable farmers  include certified organic vineyards at Tablas Creek, solar energy panels at L’Aventure, and use of biodiesel fuel at Halter Ranch Vineyard.  Pipestone Vineyards established and manages its organic vineyards using principles of feng shui.  Native grasses, wild sage and rosemary flourish between vine rows at Adelaida Cellars.  Robert Hall Vineyards uses aggressive deficit irrigation practices in the vineyards to conserve water and develop concentrated flavor and color in the wines.   These are a few of the methods that have become a way of life for sustainable farming vision in Paso Robles.    SONOMA COUNTY Sonoma County is among the leaders in sustainable winegrowing.  As a longtime agricultural region, the county has a close connection to the land and a long history of environmental stewardship.  More than 250 Sonoma County wineries and grapegrowers participate in the statewide Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices, a voluntary self-assessment designed to ensure proper care of the land.  Pesticide use in Sonoma County has decreased every year since 1997, while grape acreage during that period has increased by more than 50 percent!  Numerous wineries, such as Quivira, Peter Michael Winery, Davis Bynum, Moon Mountain Vineyards, Kunde Estate Winery & Vineyards and Benziger Family Winery, use a combination of integrated pest management, soil and water conservation, fish-friendly farming and other environmental practices to guarantee that Sonoma County’s land and vineyards will remain healthy and sustainable now and far into the future.