2008 THE SAGE

California

44% Chardonnay, 22% Viognier, 22% Roussanne, 12% Marsanne

Our first vintage of The Sage has turned out beautifully. Some may find a blend of Chardonnay and Rhone varietals a bit radical, but we think they are perfectly at home together, especially at vineyards like Alder Springs. What is great about this wine is that it combines the richness of Chardonnay, the complexity of Roussanne and Marsanne, with the apricot, flowers and lime of Viognier. Fermented and aged in 66% new French Oak barrels, this wine is not shy. But it is also not over-the-top. It has a laser beam of focused aromas in the nose, combined with a density and richness that is rare for a wine with such detailed flavors and aromas. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. 110 cases produced.

2008 PINOT NOIR

Sonoma Coast

100% Pinot Noir

This is our first vintage of Pinot Noir from the 1 acre Avion Vineyard, perched at 1200 feet elevation above the famous Durell Vineyard. Fantastically rocky, the site is a natural for vines, and we have high hopes as we put into practice our viticultural philosophy. This Pinot Noir has a beautiful, lively bouquet of raspberry, strawberry and clove-studded cherries with just a hint of orange rind. The mouthfeel is sultry and smooth, with juicy flavors, soft tannins and a vibrant finish, echoing the rocky terroir of the site. Aged for 11 months in 66% new French oak barrels. 145 cases produced.

Review: Wine Spectator Online Edition, October 12, 2009
Broad, rich and fleshy, with generous ripe red cherry and plum flavors that are clear and bright. Spice, loamy earth and bay leaf notes fill in the details, with a very creamy texture. Drink now through 2014. 145 cases made. - MaryAnn Worobiec - 91 points

2008 RITUAL

Napa Valley

46% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 18% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah

Ritual has become our go-to wine for parties, cocktails, meetings, dinner, lunch, breakfast and any occasion we forgot to mention! This stuff is just the nectar of the vine. It has a huge nose of red and black fruits with licorice, spice and flowers. The texture is beautifully lush and smooth, letting the flavors of vanilla-soaked berries penetrate the taster’s senses. The wine hails from warm sites within Napa Valley with mostly shale sub-soils, and it shows in the wine’s powerful and intense finish. Aged for 10 months in 30% new French Oak barrels. 295 cases produced.

2007 ALDER SPRINGS VINEYARD SYRAH

Mendocino County

95% Syrah, 5% Viognier

This vineyard has been a staple of ours from the beginning, and it usually needs no introduction, but something in these steep hillsides in 2007 has resulted in one of the most aromatic and exotic Syrahs we’ve ever made. This may also have something to with the fact that we were finally able to snag some Viognier and co-ferment the skins with the Syrah. The inviting deep purple color and exotic perfume lead to a rich, dense, but relatively low-alcohol (14.5%) palate, which will leave you begging for another sip. The mouthfeel is lush and full, and the flavors leave a lasting impression of spice, flowers and ripe black fruits. We say crack one open now, get hypnotized by the aroma and watch the bottle empty itself! Aged for 11 months in 60% new French Oak. 160 cases produced.

Review: International Wine Cellar, May/Jun 2009
Good bright ruby-red. Knockout nose combines raspberry, woodsmoke, crushed rocks and white pepper, plus a soupcon of white fruits (no doubt from the 5% Viognier component). Dense, spicy and light on its feet, with lovely perfumed flavors of raspberry and white pepper. Finishes with big, broad, dusty tannins and lovely lingering aromatic persistence. Not a fat style but very syrah. Like the Ritual, this is downright Old World in style. Stephen Tanzer - 92 points

2007 ARTEFACT

Napa Valley

96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Syrah

There is no doubt in our mind that 2007 is our best Artefact yet! The Cabernet fruit in 2007 was just stunning, and the addition of Rockledge Vineyard and Anselmo Vineyard Cabernet has taken it over the top in terms of richness, aromatics, complexity and flavor. We find an exotically spicy and rich nose full of clove, cardamom, blackberry, cherry preserves and vanilla. The palate is stacked and rich, with ultra smooth, plush tannins pushing the finish and leaving a lingering intensity. Aged for 21 months in 100% new French Oak. 170 cases produced.

Review: Wine Advocate #186, Dec 09
I enjoyed the 2007 Artifact [sic], which includes Petit Verdot and Syrah in the blend. Deep black currant, licorice, white chocolate, earthy, smoky notes are accompanied by full-bodied flavors, sweet tannins, and good freshness as well as precision. Dense and chewy, consumers can enjoy this impressively- endowed 2007 over the next 10-15 years.

This tiny estate has a small production, but the quality of its wines is very high. - Robert Parker - 93 points

Review: International Wine Cellar, May/Jun 2009
Bright, full ruby. Reticent but pure aromas of blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, pepper and herbs. Suave and silky on the palate, with black and red fruit flavors nicely lifted by a floral component. Less peppery than the 2006 and more complex and refined. Finishes very smooth, with lush but serious tannins and a subtle lingering note of dark chocolate. Stephen Tanzer - 91-93 points