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The nose is immediate with lemon citrus and full pink grapefruit with hints of stone fruit. Lily floral aromas begin to emerge along with jasmine and white pepper perfume spice. These aromatics are matched by a stern backbone of granite minerality. The viscosity of the wine emerges slowly, leading to crisp acid. Persistent minerality continues in the mouth, with all the floral and perfume characters that were on the nose. This is a fantastic example of a cooler climate Chardonnay, it's a serious wine, particularly matched with food now, but will age wonderfully over the next 5-7 years (2008-2014).

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This chardonnay has an immediate aroma of white peaches, honeysuckle and jasmine spice. This is complimented by moderate amounts of fig and soapstone minerality. The medium richness on the palate is surrounded with flavors of cream custard and honeydew melon, while the viscosity is balanced well with the fresh malic acid that comes through on the finish. This Chardonnay is fresh and vibrant now but will develop additional complexity over the next 6 to 7 years (2010-2016).

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2008 Viento Valle Pinot Noir
Anderson Valley

Pomegranate and white pepper soar out of the glass, with rhubarb pie and a dusty earth minerality following behind. The wine has generous viscosity with full-blown cherry and brown sugar on the mid-palette.  The soft tannins and bright acid suggest that the wine will hold nicely over the next 4-6 years (2010-2016).  

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The nose of the 2008 is filled with spicy cherry and white pepper. Floral aromas surround the asian spice characteristic common in our Tina Marie pinot. The wine is lush and the mid pallet continues with fresh cherry and anise, with slight granite minerality. The tannins are softer than in previous years, and a vibrant spine of acidity runs through the wine.  The wine is soft and elegant in its youth, but the spice and mineral complexity will become more apparent over the next 5-6 years (2010-2016).  

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The wine has a deep purple core and medium purple rim. Ripe pomegranate and dark cherry are immediate on the nose, followed by granite, earl gray tea spice and crushed violets. The palate is full in body, typical to form for quality merlot.  Graphite minerality and earth are prevalent on the mid palate but not as intense as the black cherry, licorice and pepper. The finish is very persistent, with lingering coffee and black cherry. The wine is beautiful now with big food, but will age nicely over the next 7-8 years (2009-2016).

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This opaque deep purple wine has immediate cassis on the nose, with large amounts of graphite, and ground pepper. Deep cooking chocolate, black licorice and vanilla bean tones are also prevalent.  The palette is rich with big black currant, more pepper and vanilla as well as the classic spring mountain black earth. The tannins are firm and chalky with crisp mountain acidity to balance. More cassis and chocolate linger on the long finish. The wine is very young and time will be needed to while the wine develops beautifully over the next 12-15 years.

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2006 Cabernet Sauvignon 'Cyrus Ryan'
Napa Valley

The wine exhibits a beautiful purple core and medium ruby rim with intense dark currant, black cherry and raspberry black olive on the nose. In addition, there is deep graphite minerality as well as cooking chocolate. Upon tasting the body is full and viscous, and the deep dark chocolate becomes really apparent. This is matched by blackberry and pencil lead. The chalky tannins are tighter than the 2005; the wine all around is firmer, with a long wild berry finish. The structure of this wine will demand a minimum of 3 years aging but should continue to age gracefully over the next 10-12 years.

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The wine is dark deep purple, and has ripe currant and blackberry instantly on the nose.  Traditional Rattlesnake aromas of graphite, volcanic earth, black olive and deep dark chocolate match this. As the wine sits in the glass innumerable fragrances evolve.  The wine is ultra plush on entry; where the youth of the wine is evident from the full chalky tannins and beautifully balanced acid. The mid-palette has big blackberry, peppercorn and black licorice. This is a truly great example of Mountain Cabernet.  Enjoy this wine over the next 15-18 years (2009-2027).

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