2006 ARTEFACT
NAPA VALLEY
70% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 18% PETIT VERDOT, 12% SYRAH
Artefact, our Napa Valley Cabernet-based blend, made with a nod to the old Bordeaux tradition of blending in a little Hermitage, comes from a cooler climate, Coombsville - east of the city of Napa - and a considerably warmer site in St. Helena. These complementary sources and varietals lead to a very complex wine. Aromas of cassis, Asian spice, vanilla and toasty oak introduce an extremely supple and lithe palate, with focused, concentrated flavors of plum, cherry and chocolate. The finish is long and elegant. To give this wine an added element of complexity and elegance, we aged it in 100% new French oak for 22 months. 180 cases made
2006 ALDER SPRINGS VINEYARD SYRAH
MENDOCINO COUNTY
The 2006 growing season at Alder Springs was considerably warmer than Napa, and it shows in this wine’s rich, ripe, full style. We have continued to use whole clusters and to foot-stomp selected lots, providing the wine huge complexity, body and exotic aromatics. This wine is purple/black. Aromas of blackberry, black pepper and jasmine jump from the glass and lead to exotic varietal flavors of raspberry, ginger, boysenberry and coffee. It also has the compacted structure to age very well, yet its 18 months in French oak have made it immensely appealing now. 164 cases made
Review: International Wine Cellar, May/Jun 2008
($54; vinified with one-third whole clusters; this was to have been bottled at the end of March) Saturated bright ruby. Sappy crushed berries, violet and brown spices on the nose. Juicy and fresh, with intense black fruit and floral flavors that capture the entire palate. The impressively long finish features huge but well-buffered tannins that coat the teeth. Offers very strong potential, especially given the fact that these vines are just a few years old. Hirby continues to move to higher-altitude blocks of syrah on this large property. Stephen Tanzer - 91-93 points
Review: Wine Spectator
Rich, smooth and savory, with spicy, beefy wild berry, raspberry, sage and loamy earth flavors that are focused, ending with firm, ripe tannins and good berry-laced length. Drink now through 2013. - James Laube - 90 points
2007 Alder Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir
Mendocino County
2007 has produced our best Pinot to date from Alder Springs. Seriously. This is partially due to the growing season and partially due to the new blocks we are getting at Cahto Ridge, which are just spectacular! This is a more vivid, aromatic and intense Pinot than we have ever produced. It still tastes like Alder Springs with cola, clove and mineral aromatics, but with refined tannins, the fruit really stands out and the wine finishes with intensity. Aged in 55% new French oak. 135 cases made.
2007 Tradition
Alder Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir
Mendocino County
This, our first Tradition bottling, is an homage to Burgundy. It is a single, one-year old barrel of Pinot that was minimally punched down and fermented with 50% whole clusters. This is a great example of what different winemaking can create using the same grapes as the Alder Springs Pinot. Tasting these side-by-side is highly recommended!
This bottling has more earthy and raspberry aromatics and is slightly richer, but finishes with more structure. As this wine ages, look for a blossoming aromatic complexity and that ethereal quality which makes Pinot so great. 24 cases made.
2007 Syrah
Napa Valley
50% whole cluster and 50% new oak make for a classic Relic combination of old and new world. Only two barrels make up this blend – one from Farella Vineyard and one from Yountville. Nearly black in color, rich and filled with jammy fruit - definitely Napa in style, yet complex and exotic at the same time. Aromas of chocolate, black pepper, vanilla and plum compote form an introduction to the rich, full mid-palate. As the finish blossoms, more perfume and floral aromatics linger. Fans of Napa Cabernet will love this wine as much as Northern Rhone enthusiasts. 49 cases made.
2007 Ritual
Napa Valley
55% Mourvedre, 22% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 8% Petite Sirah
We are incredibly excited to introduce to you our first Southern Rhone-style blend, and even more excited that is from Napa Valley grapes! The grapes for this wine come from great vineyards - farmed to impeccable standards and are in amazing soils and micro-climates for these varietals. We believe Napa is under-appreciated territory for Southern Rhone-style wines and hope that you’ll agree when you taste this. We decided on the name “Ritual” because this is the kind of wine that we can drink almost daily – it goes well with all kinds of food and doesn’t display overbearing oak, yet is complex and absolutely satisfying.
This is classic in its presentation of cherry, raspberry, strawberry jam, baked earth, white pepper and floral elements, and with a tremendously sweet, full mouthfeel and richness. The tannins are there to provide focus, but the basic impression is that this is one hedonistic wine! We hope you enjoy it as much as we do! 215 cases made.
