Friends,
I have several of what I hope you will consider “treats” for you, and none require hiking up my driveway to get them.
The first treat is the release of our 2018 Headwaters. With no fires affecting any of our vineyards in 2018, the cepage returns to a more balanced mix, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and 15% Petit Verdot. The Cabernet Sauvignon portion mostly comes from the Anderson Vineyard in Coombsville, a small rocky vineyard just south of the Silverado Resort. As an extra treat a small portion of Cabernet from the Sugarloaf East Vineyard adds a delicious dollop of richness to the mix.
The Merlot component also has two sources, the lower portion of Michael Black Vineyard (sadly, that has now been turned into houses) and from Sugarloaf East. The Petit Verdot again is from Coombsville’s Chinn Vineyard.
When James Suckling reviewed the wine he said, “Dark plums, mulberries, cloves and earthy undertones. Its full-bodied with fine grain tannins. Full and fruity with structure and freshness on the palate. Long finish. Very polished. 93 points”.
Up next is the release of our 2018 Stanly Ranch Pinot Noir. In my opinion, Pinot Noir can reflect in its qualities the essence of where its grown better than any other red cultivar. Since our first vintage in 2002 I’ve been extremely proud that we capture in liquid what Mother Nature has given Stanly Ranch Vineyard and the Los Carneros appellation as terroir.
The long fingers of river stretching up from the San Pablo Bay to the vineyard carry the cooling fog that shrouds the vineyard most evenings of the growing season imparting spicy aromas and flavors into the wine. This watershed also creates soils of clay and clay loam in the vineyard that contributes an earthy complexity in the wine. Vintage after vintage, this special place has given us the opportunity to craft a consistent style that many of you enjoy.
Again, so did James Suckling when he wrote, “Notes of raspberries, strawberries, baking spices and dried flowers. Medium bodied with plush tannins. Juicy and fruity with floral and spicy character on the finish. Rich and layered. 92 points.”
Today starts celebrations of fun and family, the earth’s bounty, and renewal that runs through the end of the year. This cycle seems to goby faster each year. Please remember: Time is precious, spend it laughing, loving, and drinking good wine.
Enjoy!
Gary
October 31, 2022