Wine Club News Letter

*Wine of the Month November 2007*
Premium: 2004 Krupp Brothers “Stagecoach Vineyard” Cabernet	$89.00
Krupp Brothers Estates began in 1991 with the vision of Jan Krupp, a physician with a green thumb and a passion for great wine. The vineyards are located high above the Stag’s Leap District of Napa Valley in a small sub-appellation extending between Atlas Peak and Pritchard Hill. Three vineyards and over 1100 acres of red, rocky, intense soil forms this beautiful, intensely flavored wine. 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec, this wine is aged for 19 months in 85% French oak and only 1752 cases were produced. Winemaker’s Notes: Deep red crimson with black hues; aromas of blackberries, dark cherries and plums are interspersed with notes of dark chocolate, mocha, currants and sage. The palate delivers the same ripe fruit as on the nose, retaining a beautiful savory nature of cedar and cigar box. The tannins are firm and linger for a long finish. Enjoy now through 2019.
Collector: 2004 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon	$48.00
2004 proved to be a challenging year throughout the Napa Valley, with crop yields reduced in some areas ten to forty percent, due to a three week heat spell beginning in late August; many days measuring over 100 degrees. From this, winemakers Damien Parker, Ashley Hepworth and Theresa Heredia crafted this rich and structured wine consisting of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot. The grapes were fermented in stainless tanks, and then aged 18 months in a combination of French and American Oak. Due to the ripeness of the 2004 grape harvest, the final blend boasts ultra concentration and lusciousness. The wine is a striking example of the vintage with aromas of soy, graphite and hints of baking spices, as well as generous amounts of Bing cherry, cassis, and other dark fruits in the fragrant nose. Sweet oak, spice and compelling grapy extract lead to a long, persistent finish. Annual production from this winery is between 65-80,000 cases and 90% of all wine produced comes from estate-owned vineyards.
Classic Red: 2005 Barnard Griffin “Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon	$30.00
Owner/winemaker Rob Griffin has been making wine since 1976 and his talent has not been overlooked. In 2006, Barnard Griffin Winery was named Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year, which was appropriately foretold by legendary Napa winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff, who when asked where the greatest wine in the United States is made, responded, “It hasn’t been made yet, but when it is, it will be made in the Pacific Northwest”. This Reserve Cabernet is no exception, with grapes sourced from Champoux, AlderRidge, and Wahluke Slope Vineyards; some Washington’s finest. The 2005 growing season was hot, giving this wine good structure and complexity, well integrated supple tannins, with depth and dark rich aromas of cherries, cassis and rich vanilla undertones. Aged in 100% French oak for 14 months, there were only 282 cases produced.
Classic White: 2005 Groth Chardonnay	$28.00
Here is another Napa 2005 vintage which was influenced by the fantastic Indian Summer and long hang times which allowed the grapes to mature at a leisurely pace, giving outstanding character; a great year all around for whites. 100% Chardonnay and 100% Estate grown fruit from the Oakcross and Hillview vineyards, this wine will go down in the annals as a real keeper. Aged sur lie in French barrels for 8 months, you will enjoy the crisp complexity and toasty creaminess, medium body with buttery, slightly mineral tones of this Chardonnay. The fruit from the cooler Hillview vineyard offers tropical fruit, citrus and mineral notes, while the warmer Oakcross vineyard gives a distinctive green apple character.
Select Red: 2005 Joseph Carr Cabernet Sauvignon	$19.00
An industry veteran and award winning sommelier, Joseph Carr is now using his knowledge and love of wine to construct honest, yet sophisticated wines, based upon a Bordeaux approach. This wine is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, and 2.5% Syrah. With fruit sourced from Diamond Mountain and Rutherford Bench, this Cabernet has been aged 22 months in French and American oak and is elegant, luxurious and approachable. Tasting Notes: Rich dark color, black fruit on the nose, tiers of current, blackberry, ripe plum, hints of smoke and leather; soft elegant palate, more black fruit and cherry flavors, round tannins, cocoa. A long sophisticated finish.
Select White: 2005 Fess Parker Chardonnay	$20.00
In 1987, actor Fess Parker, better known as Davy Crockett, purchased 714 acres just north of Santa Barbara, and quickly went to work establishing Fess Parker’s Winery and Vineyard. Blair Fox is the head winemaker for this family run business and has crafted a refreshing Chardonnay for all palates. Multiple vineyard sources such as Premier Coastal, White Hills, Ashley’s and Rodney’s Vineyards add complexity to this wine. Tasting Notes: Good acidity and silky texture, intense aromas of honey dew melon, lemon-flecked butter, tea, apple and pear aromas with notes of orange blossom and vanilla. Ripe flavors of pineapple, apricot, pear, apple, citrus, mineral and vanilla mingle well with a hint of oak. Tropical notes flesh out the finish. Finishes clean and smooth.