Our newest release of Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc is a testament to both the consistency and diversity of the vineyards that compose it. Characteristic of previous vintages, this wine exhibits our signature bright aromatics, supple fruit, soft mouth feel, and racy acidity. Lychee and grapefruit combine to give this wine phenomenal aromatics. The absence of oak makes the fruit as pure as fresh fallen snow. The front palette is amazingly supple for a wine with no malolactic, slowly giving way to the signature crisp acidity that our Sauvignon Blanc is known for.

The 2008 Sauvignon Blanc contains 25 percent of the “Musqué” clone of Sauvignon Blanc from Grandma’s block. This clone is believed to be a hybrid of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat. Some believe that many of the famous Sauternes wines are derived from this particular clone. Enjoy this wine with light appetizers, salads, and even heavier seafood entrees.

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The 2008 was made in the same “Burgundian” style as the past vintage. The wine is 100% barrel fermented, but in only a small percentage of new oak. The result is the best of both worlds, the beautiful fruit of California chardonnay minus the oak, with the elegance and complexity of its Burgundian ancestor. The fruit was harvested at
24° brix, lending itself to beautiful citrus fruit. Soft flavors of pear and green apple are prevalent in the nose and balanced beautifully with citrus flavors in the front palate. The complexity of the vineyard shines through in the mid-palate with hints of minerals that are accented by the richness of the barrel fermentation. The finish is everything you would expect from a great Chardonnay; full and round but clinging to acidity to retain the balance. This wine will continue to drink beautifully over the next five years, enjoy it with fish, poultry, white sauces, and anything else that strikes your fancy.

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The 2008 vintage was an interesting one to say the least. It all started at bud break when we realized that the crop was going to be about twenty five percent smaller than normal. Combine the low bunch counts with the worst frost in forty years, a cooler than normal summer, and an unprecedented heat spell in September and we had the makings of a very interesting year! The good news is that the wines are beautiful. The bad news is that there are not a lot of them. Our production is off nearly forty percent.

In a theoretical world, the 2008 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel is like a mix of the 2006 and 2007 vintages. The nose is bright and centered. Aromas of ripe raspberry, fresh picked blackberry, cracked black pepper, and sweet oak mingle harmoniously. On the palate you feel the effects of the cool summer. The wine is focused, almost linear, and displays an amazing elegance. The balanced acid lifts the fresh berry fruits on the palate and ensures the wine will age gracefully and pair extremely well with foods. Please enjoy the 2008 Dry Creek Zinfandel over the next 4-6 years.

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The 2007 vintage was a prototypical California harvest and the reason why people love California Cabernet Sauvignon: the wines are rich, ripe, structured and opulent. It was a relatively warm growing season without the major temperature swings that we normally see. The fruit ripened beautifully with ample hang time. The resulting wines have ripe fruit and ripe tannins, yielding silky smooth wines that will cellar generously for the next decade.

The 2007 Mauritson Sonoma County Cabernet is explosive in the nose. Ripe red fruit jumps out of the glass accented with aromas of dust, cassis, vanilla, and hints of mineral. On the front palate, the wine is both juicy and serious. The lush fruit gives way to tobacco and sweet oak. The fine grained nature of the tannins begins to present itself: at first the mouth feel is broad and sweeping, but as the wine moves back on the palate, it gains focus, finishing with full tannins. There is nothing astringent or overpowering about the wine, yet the delicacy and complexity can not fully be appreciated until after the last sip is gone. Please enjoy this responsibly over the next 7 to 10 years.

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