Wine Lovers Club

Summer in Full Swing

The old saying, “Be careful what you wish for” has come true once again. I was hoping that this summer would not be like last year, when the hot weather did not show up until late August, and the grape harvest was rather problematical. Well, I have gotten what I wished for and then some. We have had some really hot weather lately, but I know we are not alone as it has hit the entire country in the last couple of weeks or so. Hopefully, it will have a good result, in that the grape quality will be excellent and we will have as close as possible to a normal harvest. You can tell that I am already thinking ahead. We just had our final bottling of the year and the newest version of our Port is now in the bottle. So far this year we have released a new Sauvignon Blanc and a new Pinot Noir. Just recently we released the new Westerly Merlot. We are now getting low on the Santa Ynez Valley Cabernet, the Riesling and the Port. I tell you about these things so that you can order some before they are gone, if you would like to. Hope to see you soon. Art White

This Month’s Wines

You know that we try to send you our new releases as soon as possible so that you are current with our offerings. This month, both wines are new. First is the Sauvignon Blanc from the 2003 vintage, and the last one with the Los Olivos Vintners label. I form my own opinions, of course, of all our wines, both before and after we bottle them, but I always wait until they are released to see the reaction from our staff and the early customers. I am happy to report that this wine lived up to my expectations and has been receiving praise right from the start. It is a great summer wine, just perfect for those lighter meals. The second wine is the 2001 Westerly Merlot. The Merlot from this vineyard is always popular and this is no exception. Enjoy these two new wines and let us know what you think.

2003 ~ Valley View Vineyard ~ Santa Ynez Valley ~ Santa Barbara County

SAUVIGNON BLANC

Sauvignon Blanc is a fine white wine variety native to both the Bordeaux and Loire regions of France. It does exceptionally well in the warmer parts of the Santa Ynez Valley. It varies widely in style, particularly in California, where it can range from fruity and elegant to a Chardonnay-like oak aged wine. This wine was entirely fermented and aged in stainless steel and its style is in the fruity and elegant vein. The nose is fresh, floral and fruity with noticeable aromas of mango and papaya. On the palate, it is fruity, delicate and rich, with the tropical fruit flavors enhancing the palate. In addition to its richness, the barrel aging added creaminess to this wine that it otherwise would not have. The finish is dry, as is appropriate for Sauvignon Blanc, with just enough acidity to achieve good balance. Drink as an aperitif or with the early courses of a meal. About 180 cases made.

2001 ~ Westerly Vineyard ~ Santa Ynez Valley ~ Santa Barbara County

MERLOT

Merlot is one of the great red wine varieties native to the Bordeaux region of France. In its native region it is almost always blended, usually with Cabernet Franc and sometimes with Cabernet Sauvignon or both. In California, it is more common to find wines, such as this one, which are one hundred percent Merlot. It is our style to produce big, full-bodied wines, and the deep ruby color of this Merlot is the first indication that we were successful. The nose shows off some jammy fruit characteristic of fine Merlot and invites you to taste the wine. On the palate, the fruitiness is complimented by nuances of chocolate that add to the wine’s complexity. 335 cases made.