2005 Contrarian
64% Roussanne, 36% Viognier
This wine has a great minerality and tannin structure from a brief 24 hour skin soak. Pressed in two ton basket presses and fermented in neutral French Oak barrels. The wine retains its heritage with the soils and climate of the west side of Paso Robles. The Roussanne and Viognier were blended three months prior to bottling for completion of malolactic fermentation and the wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
*Rated 91 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Issue #166
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2005 Problem Child
71% Zinfandel, 17% Syrah, 12% Mourvedre
A Zinfandel-dominated wine that is robust yet balanced - a vintage marked by high levels of acidity and natural, structured tannins, the Zinfandel needed a little rounding out. This was achieved by a modest dose of Syrah, that cut the acidity and added meaty qualities to the explosive fruit. The addition of Mourvedre aids in bringing the wine back to earth with subtle hints of pepper and garden herbs. This wine can be enjoyed by itself or with any robust spice driven meal. Drink now or over the next 2-5 years.
*Rated 92 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Issue #172
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2005 Leona’s
62% Zinfandel, 30% Syrah, 8% Mourvedre
Another great farmer from the Westside of Paso Robles, Leona Mastan nurtures her 33 year-old, 17 acre Zinfandel Vineyard like a small flower garden! Field-planted with Alicante.
*Rated 93 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Issue #172
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2005 Outsider
70% Zinfandel, 27% Syrah, 3% Mourvedre
This wine is outside the box of consistency with both the 2003 and 2004 Outsider. I have tamed the wine substantially, yet it chases a new dimension for Zinfandel from North facing slopes and lower soils. The Outsider is bold and saturated in flavor with modest hints of toast and smoked meats. I think this wine is still fairly young and will age more gracefully than previous vintages. Drink now or within the next five years.
*Rated 94 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Issue #172
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2005 Cherry Red
64% Zinfandel, 28% Mourvedre, 8% Syrah
Named after Elmer and Mary Cherry and planted in 1977, this dry-farmed, head-trained Zinfandel vineyard continuously produces an intense fruit. Always really ripe and acidic, this wine boasts copious amounts of raspberry, clove and black cherry. Since 1998 we have been blending in portions of Syrah and Mourvedre. The beautiful fruit flavors of Cherry red are layered and layered and leave you wishing for a bottomless bottle.
*Rated 92 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Issue #172
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2005 Rising Tides
51% Syrah, 38% Grenache, 11% Mourvedre
Considered to be our house wine, the varietals complement one another to the point that the wine just becomes wine (not a single varietal). Delicious in every sip, the wine is balanced by blending. Five words of description: dark, saturated, explosive, blackberry, and round.
*Rated 93 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Issue #172
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2005 Sticks & Stones
62% Grenache, 24% Mourvedre, 14% Syrah
Spring Release 2007. The 2005 Sticks and Stones represents our commitment to the production of Rhone style blends. A Grenache dominated wine. This wine starts with hand harvested fruit that is gently destemmed (whole berry) into 1.5 ton fermenters. Blended in April of 2006. The nose is bright and sweet, while the mouth is lush with copious amount of raspberry and currant fruits intermixed with tobacco. The finish is long, dusty and slightly mushroomed. The wine can be enjoyed now or over the next 3-6 years, maybe longer.
*Rated 94 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Issue #172
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2005 Nemesis
85% Syrah, 11% Mourvedre, 4% Grenache
This is essentially a Syrah wine with a twist of character. Fermented in open tops for 30 days with both punch downs and delestage techniques employed to saturate the color and flavor while leaving a soft and silky texture. Aged in small French casks for 20 months and bottled 4 months prior to release. This wine is drinkable now, yet can be aged for 4-6 years.
*Rated 94-96 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Issue #172
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2005 Martyr
68% Mourvedre, 29% Syrah, 3% Grenache
This wine reflects my own personal appreciation of Mourvedre. As you may have noticed, almost every wine we produce has some portion of Mourvedre (aka Mataro). This grape intrigues me with both the way it grows and the flavor profile it produces. The skin is thick and crunchy, the pulp is sweet, earthy and dense, and the seed is large and tannic. All of these things combine to make a wine that is mildly floral, saturated in roasted meat flavors and leaves a finish that can be tasted for minutes to come. 120 cases produced.
*Rated 93 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Issue #172
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2005 Slacker
65% Syrah, 35% Grenache
While the label doesn’t state it, the Slacker does contain Mourvedre. Imagine that! A wine named Slacker is mislabeled. The wine is bold, dark, and fused with tannin. Flavors of pomegranate, blackberry, and sage intermingle with aromas of roasted coffee and toast. Drink now or over the next 3-5 years.
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