Wine Lovers Club

New Wines for Summer

As we approach Memorial Day weekend, we know that summer is finally here. This holiday weekend starts our summer “season” even though summer is officially still a few weeks away. As if to remind us of this change, our cool, wet and windy weather has changed into warm and breezy. Our spirits are somewhat lifted and the grapes can start to catch up and get on with their maturation. As far as the grapes are concerned, the warm weather could not have come at a better time. As usual this time of year, we are experiencing a changeover in some of our wines. We have just released a new Sauvignon Blanc, it is the 2003 vintage and the last with the Los Olivos Vintners label. I think this is a classic style Sauvignon Blanc with a good blend of the fruity and grassy characteristics of this variety. The Old Adobe Vineyard Pinot Noir from 2000 is just about gone as well. It will soon be replaced with the 2001 vintage. The 2000 Stolpman Vineyard Merlot, included in this shipment, is down to the last few cases, and will be replaced with the 2001 Merlot from the Westerly Vineyard. The 2000 Santa Ynez Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is starting to get low and probably will not last to the end of the year. Actually, we like it when we get to release new wines. It means we sold all of the old ones, and it gives you something new to try and to enjoy. As usual we will get the new wines into your shipments as soon as possible so that you can check them out. Art White

This Month’s Wines

These wines are two great varieties native to the Bordeaux region of France. The Stolpman vineyard Merlot is just about sold out, but as usual, we like you to have one last chance to try it before it is gone. The Valley View vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is not yet an endangered specie but is drinking very well right now. Enjoy!

2000 ~ Stolpman 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. Compared to our other recent Merlots, this is a slightly bigger wine with less finesse, but more “meat.” This wine has taken a long time to reach its current state and is drinking very well at this time. About 350 cases made.

2000 ~ Valley View Vineyard ~ Santa Ynez Valley ~ Santa Barbara County

Cabernet Sauvignon

In its native region it is almost always blended, frequently with Cabernet Franc and sometimes with Merlot or both. In California, it is more common to find wines, such as this one, which are one hundred percent Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a rich, robust, traditional Cabernet. It is very intense, especially on the nose, where spiciness and woodiness from the oak barrels join aromas of cassis. The twenty-two months of barrel aging this wine received has muted some of the individual flavors, while at the same time marrying them into a complexity of blended flavors and vanilla from the oak. There is a richness to the flavors on the palate that makes this wine particularly inviting. 420 cases made.