Our 2008 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from our Howell Mountain Estate vineyard located on Summit Lake Drive. Thirteen acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Merlot are planted on this 160-acre mountain ranch at an elevation of over 2,000 feet. Soil and weather conditions of this mountain vineyard are challenging, but worth the extra effort as it produces a wine with great flavor, intensity and aging properties.
Dark chocolate, vanilla and sweet blackberry meld together offering a luscious aroma in this 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. In the mouth, dried cherries, currants and black fruits complement the toasty vanilla notes. The finish is long and full. This is a truly lovely example of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at its best.
| BARREL AGING: | 20 Months French Oak 60% new, 30% 1-year, 10% 2-year |
| APPELLATION: | Howell Mountain |
| PRODUCTION: | 350 |
| ALCOHOL: | 14.4% |
| San Francisco Chronicle GOLD MEDAL: January 2011 |  |
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| Wine Enthusiast Magazine 94 POINTS: May 2012 |  |
Our 2008 Estate Reserve Merlot is produced from our Howell Mountain Estate vineyard located on Summit Lake Drive. Thirteen acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and three acres of Merlot are planted on this 160 acre mountain ranch at an elevation of over 2,000 feet. The soil and weather conditions on this mountain vineyard are challenging, but worth the extra effort as the vineyards produce wines with great flavor, intensity and aging properties.
This classic mountain top Merlot has aromas of cedar, leathery tobacco and freshly baked Christmas cake. It is complemented by flavors of ripe plum, blackberries, black cherries and spice. The finish is long and complex. This wine received a Gold Medal from the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
| BARREL AGING: | 24 Months 50% American Oak, 50% French Oak, 65% New Oak |
| APPELLATION: | Howell Mountain |
| PRODUCTION: | 300 Cases |
| ALCOHOL: | 14.2% |
| San Francisco Chronicle DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL: January 2011 |
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| Wine & Spirits Magazine 92 POINTS: June 2011 | |
Our Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of two of our Rutherford Bench Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. These two lots are both located on Hwy 29, One Acre directly across from Niebaum Lane and the other about a half-mile south at Bella Oaks Lane. The two vineyards, along with a bit of merlot from vines in front of our winery, are a perfect expression of the celebrated “Rutherford Dust.”
Cherry stone, green olive and dusty blackberries are characteristics that come to mind in this classic Rutherford Bench Cabernet Sauvignon. The fruit is mature, the balance is refined with great complexity in its dusty fruit and integrated oak flavors.
| BARREL AGING: | 20 Months 80% French Oak, 20% American Oak 60% new, 20% one-year old, 20% two-year old. |
| APPELLATION: | Rutherford Bench |
| PRODUCTION: | 450 Cases |
| ALCOHOL: | 14.2% |
| Wine Enthusiast Magazine 92 POINTS: December 2010 | |
We are proud to release this 100% Estate Merlot sourced exclusively from our Estate vineyard located east of our winery and tasting room in the heart of the Rutherford Appellation.
Beautifully rich colors of purple and crimson give a glimpse of the enjoyment to follow. Integrated aromas of dusty blackberries, cherries and spice framed with toasty French oak engage the taster even before the first sip. Upon entry and through the finish this wine does not disappoint. On the palate the flavors mimic the aromas with a lively-balanced mouth-feel and the structure somewhat akin to a Rutherford Cabernet but with the roundness expected from Merlot. A long finish is marked by bright fruit left dancing on the tongue. The rich masculinity of this wine warrants the 2007 Merlot one for the cellar. Consider aging 5-10 years.
| BLEND: | 100% Merlot |
| BARREL AGING: | 18 months 100% French Oak, 40% New 60% 2-year old barrels |
| APPELLATION: | Rutherford Bench |
| PRODUCTION: | 300 Cases |
| ALCOHOL: | 14.2% |
This extraordinary wine started out as an experiment but has now become an institution. When we went to plant this vineyard in front of our winery we noticed that the soil held some truly unique properties, properties that we felt might be well suited for a Sangiovese. We chose clones 2 and 4 and waited….On our first tasting we knew we were right. The “Rutherford dust” had worked its magic on this Italian varietal!
What small amount isn’t snapped up by our wine club is made available only here and in our tasting room.
This attractive wine displays a nose full of violet, black cherry and ripe plums. It has an appealing hint of black licorice and toasty vanilla that balance the dark, fruity nose.
Sweet blackberry, vanilla and baked cherries dominate in the mouth. The wine is brightly concentrated, dense and full. Wonderful drinking wine to pair with food or to drink alone.
| BARREL AGING: | 18 Months 100% French Oak 40% new, 60% 2-year old puncheons |
| APPELLATION: | Rutherford Bench |
| PRODUCTION: | 300 Cases |
| ALCOHOL: | 14.3% |
Our 2007 vintage of Petite Sirah was made in much the same style as the previous four vintages producing a luscious, fruit forward, delicious wine from Spring Creek Vineyard, located in the St. Helena appellation.
The vineyard is on the west side of the Valley floor and benefits from copious direct sunlight during the growing season as well as cool breezes in the afternoon, a perfect situation for Petite Sirah.
The 2007 Petite Sirah exhibits the typical deep black and purple hues that, amazingly, comes from only 10 days of skin contact. 10 months of oak aging contribute rich aromas and flavors of toasty vanilla that are well balanced with the characteristic plum, boysenberry and hints of roasted game. The entry is rich and concentrated, the structure and weight are big but the finish is silky and very approachable early on for this varietal.
| BLEND: | 100% Petite sirah |
| BARREL AGING: | 10 Months 50% French Oak, 50% American Oak 50% new, 30% one-year old, 20% two-year old. |
| APPELLATION: | Spring Creek Vineyard, St. Helena |
| PRODUCTION: | 330 Cases |
| ALCOHOL: | 14.2% |
Estate grown Sauvignon Blanc planted on our family’s historic ranch in the Rutherford Bench. Located on the western side of the Valley floor in Rutherford, the vineyard is planted in the Sauvignon Blanc Musque and 317 clones.
Our estate vineyard products grapes with wonderful fruit intensity, ideal acidity and attractive mineral character that represent the true characteristics of the varietal.
Our 2011 Sauvignon Blanc captures the flavors and aromas of guava, grapefruit and pineapple. Fermented and aged in small stainless steel barrels, we maintain a bright acidity and notes of fresh cut herbs which finish and balance this wine.
Our 2011 Sauvignon Blanc captures the flavors and aromas of guava, grapefruit and pineapple. Fermented and aged in small stainless steel barrels, we maintain a bright acidity and notes of fresh cut herbs which finish and balance this wine.
| BLEND: | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
| BARREL AGING: | 6 Months in Stainless Steel 40%-70% gallon Stainless Steel Barrels sur lie |
| APPELLATION: | Rutherford Bench |
| PRODUCTION: | 550 Cases |
| ALCOHOL: | 13.3% |
Quackenbush Mountain Vineyard sits at an altitude of 2,000 feet on a rocky slope overlooking the eastern shore of Clear Lake. With its ideal red clay and fractured balast, this location benefits from the cool lake breezes. This slows the ripening process, allowing the fruit to reach the balance and intensity we look for in a mountain wine.
Our vines, all heirloom selections of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, are planted with budwood gathered from some of the old existing plantings in California. Our grandfather, Albino Pestoni, and great uncles made their robust wines with these types of grapes under similar conditions... one of the blocks even originates from Uncle Fred’s old ranch.
Our 2009 vintage opens with aromas of raspberry and a hint of cinnamon. It enters the palate with nicely balanced dark berry earthy tones complemented with a velvety finish.
| BARREL AGING: | 10 Months in oak 25% new American Oak, 75% Neutral barrels |
| APPELLATION: | Lake County |
| PRODUCTION: | 900 Cases |
| ALCOHOL: | 14.6% |
