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Tasting Notes
Ideology 2005 Reserve Merlot
Vintage: 2005
Appellation: Napa Valley
Vineyard: Hardman Lane
Fermentation: Cold Soaked 3 days prior to fermentation.
Aging: 50% New French Oak for 30 months
Varietals: 98% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14.4%
Release Date: May 1, 2008
Cases Produced: 50 Cases
Winemaker: Brian Graham
Suggested Retail: $42.00
VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING
Our winemaker, Brian Graham, believes that the vineyard is absolutely the most important factor when creating a wine. “For me, it’s the vineyard that creates the quality and a wine’s uniqueness. Really it’s all about the vineyards.”
Located in the eastern portion of the Napa Valley just north of the city of Napa, sits the Hardman Vineyard. The vineyard sits on the north side of Harman Lane. Hardman Vineyard soil analysis revealed a layer of clay under the fertile top soil. The appropriate root stock was selected for these soil conditions. The south facing slope allows for great drainage thus helping to create naturally balanced vines. This vineyard produces a smooth, fruity yet bold Merlot.
After picking, the grapes were sorted and de-stemmed into a fermentation tank where they rested and soaked for 3 days. After a warm fermentation the wine was gently pressed to barrels for malolatic fermentation. This wine was aged in 50% new French Oak barrels for 30 months. This wine was neither fined nor filtered.
TASTING NOTES
Nose: Upon entry, dense black fruits, dark chocolate and ripe strawberries consume the nose.
Palate: Black cherries, black raspberry truffles and cooking chocolate lead into a soft, rich, elegant finish.
2006 “Blondie Gone Wild”
Vintage: 2006
Appellation: Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
Fermentation: 100% Whole cluster pressed, 0% Residual Sugar, 100% Malolatic Fermentation
Aging: 100% French Oak (65% New)
Varietals: 100% Chardonnay, 100% Sees Clone
Alcohol: 14.6%
Winemaker: Brian Graham
Release Date:May 1, 2007
Cases Produced: 135 Cases
Suggested Retail: $29.00
VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING
Our winemaker, Brian Graham, believes that the vineyard is absolutely the most important factor when creating a wine. “For me, it’s the vineyard that creates the quality and a wine’s uniqueness."
Our Chardonnay comes from the Red Hen Vineyard that is just South of our Estate vineyard between the towns of Napa and Yountville on Hwy 29. With similar soil structures, these two vineyards compliment each other seamlessly. The Sees Chardonnay clone is used exclusively and is perfect for the climate and soil structure in this vineyard, creating wines with delicate floral components while having rich full bodied structure.
Picked and transported as quickly as possible the grapes go immediately into the press for a very long and gentle pressing cycle sometimes taking up to 8 hours. The barrel fermentation is completed at a relatively cool temperature to help and retain the bright, tropical fruit flavors associated with this varietal. This wine lot is topped constantly, stirred once a week during fermentation and aged for 12 months.
TASTING NOTES
Nose: Peony flower, tropical melons with vanilla beans and granny smith apples.
Palate: A seamless transition from the nose leads to vanilla bean, clove and over-ripe mandarin orange rounding out the soft finish of this wine.
2007 “Blondie”
Vintage: 2007
Appellation: Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
Fermentation: 100% Whole cluster pressed, 0% Residual Sugar, No Malolatic Fermentation
Aging: 100% in Stainless Steel
Varietals: 100% Chardonnay, 100% Sees Clone
Alcohol: 14.6%
Winemaker: Brian Graham
Release Date: May 1, 2007
Cases Produced: 295 cases
Suggested Retail: $29.00
VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING
Our winemaker, Brian Graham, believes that the vineyard is absolutely the most important factor when creating a wine. “For me, it’s the vineyard that creates the quality and a wine’s uniqueness."
Our Chardonnay comes from the Red Hen Vineyard that is just South of our Estate vineyard between the towns of Napa and Yountville on Hwy 29. With similar soil structures, these two vineyards complement each other seamlessly. The Sees Chardonnay clone is used exclusively and is perfect for the climate and soil structure in this vineyard, creating wines with delicate floral components while having rich full bodied structure.
Picked and transported as quickly as possible the grapes go immediately into the press for a very long and gentle pressing cycle sometimes taking up to 8 hours. The fermentation is relatively cool to help and retain the bright, tropical fruit flavors associated with this varietal. The tank is stirred once a week during fermentation and aged on the lees until bottling.
TASTING NOTES
Nose: Crisp entry of lemon zest, tropical melons and Asian pears with hints of honeysuckle and clove.
Palate: Honey-dew melon, ripe tangerines, Meyer lemons and candied apple.