Top-Shelf Thanksgiving Premium Reds

Calcagno Cellars Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

LIBRARY RELEASE!

The evolution of our flagship wine does not disappoint with time. Smooth, round tannins, hints of cocoa, dark fruit, crème, coffee, and vanilla.

Aged 22 months in 65% new Oregon oak. Drink through 2032. Limited Quantity.

2018 JOHN DUVAL ENTITY SHIRAZ

REGION: Barossa, South Australia
VARIETALS: Shiraz
MATURATION: 15 months in 100% French oak hogsheads (31% new)
ANALYSIS:  14.5% alc/vol  |  6.50 g/L TA  |  3.56 pH   

VINTAGE: Following the pattern of recent years, the preceding winter rainfalls were above average followed by slightly drier conditions through spring. Warmer than average conditions through October and November promoted healthy canopies, good fl owering and a healthy set of bunches. Very dry conditions through summer tested the growers to maintain good vineyard management practices and preserve vine health, and they were rewarded with perfect ripening and harvest conditions throughout March and early April. 2018 will produce many exceptional wines, with Eden Valley Shiraz, in particular, appearing amongst the best in living memory.

WINEMAKING: The Shiraz was sourced from old vineyards in the Krondorf, Moppa, Light Pass, Ebenezer and Eden Valley regions. Fermentation with submerged cap took place in small open stainless steel fermenters. The wine was then barrel matured for 15 months in 32% new fi ne grain French oak hogsheads (300 liters) and the balance in two, three and four-year-old hogsheads.

TASTING NOTES: The nose shows lifted boysenberry, fl orals and hints of anise and clove. The palate is awash with fresh, vibrant blueberries and concentrated plums with hints of cedar spice fi nishing with fl owing waves of extremely fi ne tannins.

ABOUT JOHN DUVAL: John Duval is one of Australia’s most highly-regarded winemakers. As Chief Winemaker and custodian of Australia’s famous Grange, he was instrumental in establishing Penfolds as one of the world’s great wineries. Inspired by the Barossa Valley’s old vine vineyards, John established his own label in 2002 and now crafts intense, focused wines that are as distinctive as the region’s diverse terroir.

SCALE WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR 2016

This bold & captivating wine opens with effusive floral aromas of violet and hyacinth intermingled with hints of powdered chocolate, black licorice, freshly ground coffee beans, and Santa Rosa plums, creating a sophisticated and soulful bouquet that is characteristic of the 2016 vintage. The palate is expansive and expressive, showing completeness and depth. The entry exposes juicy blackberry and black cherry along with defined flavors of morel mushroom, crushed raspberry, and sassafras, supported by fine-grained tannins that lead into a velvety finish with the essence of dark chocolate lingering on your palate.

Zinfandel | Mother Clone v.2018 SONOMA COUNTY, DRY CREEK VALLEY

Mother Clone Vineyard Sources:
Pedroncelli’s historic Zinfandel vineyards are situated on the hillsides surrounding the winery. They are located on the ranch originally purchased by John Pedroncelli Sr. in 1927 and planted to Zinfandel since 1904. The vines are head-pruned and hand-picked, a second-generation vineyard cloned from the original “Mother” vines. The individual blocks were replanted in the early 1980s. The fruit from the remaining 110-year-old vines, although a small part, is included. We also source from Bushnell and Faloni, both longtime Zinfandel vineyards.

Winemaking:
Zinfandel from the 2018 vintage was harvested the third week of September. A solid winter of rain gave the vineyards a great start. Summer was cooler with no prolonged heat. These cooler temperatures slowed the ripening of the grapes giving them great development and an even growing season. With an uneventful harvest, Zinfandel shows ripe flavors, bright acidity, and wonderful aromatics.

At the crush pad, destemmed grapes are transferred to a fermentation tank to cold soak for 48 hours and then is inoculated with selected yeast. Daily pump-overs and fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with delestage regimes are done for maximum phenolic extraction. Pressing follows and the new wine is transferred to storage tanks until barreled down. Twelve months of aging in American oak barrels develop additional complexity. The addition of Petite Sirah (10%) adds depth of color and brings structure to the blend.

Tasting Notes:
Our Mother Clone is a classic ‘Dry Creek’ Zinfandel with aromas of ripe blackberries and a touch of warm baking spices. This Zin is plump with jammy berry flavors combined with a touch of black pepper spice and notes of vanilla, and toasty oak. The spicy-berry dynamic so typical of Dry Creek Zin combines round tannins and a long, spicy finish which are a hallmark of our style. Enjoy now or cellar for three to five years.

APPELLATION: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
BARREL AGING: 12 months in American Oak, 30% new oak
ALCOHOL: 14.8%
pH: 3.57
TOTAL ACIDITY: .573g/100m