The CellarStash Summer Essentials 6-Pack

Outlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

VINIFICATION
2017 was an outstanding year for wine grapes in the Alexander Valley. Winter rains replenished the soil moisture and prepared the vines for healthy vegetative growth throughout the warm, dry spring and summer. The dry weather resulted in very small berries that were intense with flavor and packed with color. Steady ripening created stunning flavor development and built refined, structured tannins that were easy to extract during fermentation.

The Alexander Valley boasts rolling hills, hidden canyons, benchlands, steep peaks, sand and gravel riverbeds, riparian and chaparral habitats, volcanic geology, and redwood groves. Our vineyards lie throughout the region - each revealing a unique dimension of the topography and reminding us of the importance of preserving the natural beauty and diversity of the valley. From the valley floor to cliffside plantings, our small vineyard parcels tell the story of Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley.

The grapes were handpicked in the morning in early September and fully crushed and destemmed before stainless steel fermentation and 100%  malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged in French oak barrels of varying toasts for 18 months. The wine is elegantly approachable upon release with an aging potential of up to 10 years.  

TASTING NOTES 
Deep ruby-red in color, the 2017 Outlot Cabernet Sauvignon has a rich nose filled with cherry, blueberry, and pomegranate. Full-bodied with a plush entry, the palate has abundant raspberry and black cherry fruit balanced by bright acidity and fine tannins that carry through to the medium-firm finish. 

VARIETAL COMPOSITION
87% Cabernet Sauvignon
13% Merlot  

APPELLATION
Alexander Valley 

DETAILS
Alcohol: 13.9%
Residual Sugar: Dry
TA: 6.5 g/L
pH: 3.61

707 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

TASTING NOTES:
Dark ruby in color. There is an array of aromas that includes cinnamon, dusty wood, blueberry, clove, and a hint of dry pine. The smooth yet complex flavors encompass attractive black currants, cola, blackberries, and dried herbs. The nicely-balanced tannins help carry the finish out with more pleasant, dense black fruit components. A classic Cabernet Sauvignon with elegant depth and style.

FOOD PAIRINGS:
707 Cabernet Sauvignon will complement many meal selections: Rosemary Braised Lamb Shanks, Filet Mignon with Bleu Cheese Crumbles, Slow Roasted Game Hens.

TECH NOTES:
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot
100% 2018
100% Sonoma County
ALC: 14.6%
TA: 0.57 g/100mL
pH: 3.62
RS: 0.19%

Pinot Noir | Signature Selection v.2018 SONOMA COUNTY, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

Russian River Valley Sources:
Pinot Noir grown in the cool climate of the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County is regularly influenced by the coastal influence and this natural nighttime air-conditioning allows the grapes to develop full flavor maturity over an extended growing season while retaining the all-important acidity.

The 2018 vintage brought plenty of rain to the vineyards. Perfect growing conditions followed during summer with even heat and a great ripening environment providing extended ripening. The grapes were harvested mid-September and the vintage brought medium tannins as well as higher levels of aromatics and flavors.

Winemaking:
Destemmed and crushed grapes go to temperature-controlled fermenters for 5 days of cold soaking at ~50F (pre-fermentation) with a daily pump over for extraction of color, aromatics, and tannins. Once fermentation begins we keep the tanks at ~75F to better extract the aromatics of the Pinot Noir fruit, and we have a regime of three pump-overs a day to achieve the right extraction, until dry. Once pressed and sent to storage tanks the young wine is later moved to barrels for aging. The round and polished texture of this wine comes not only from the high-quality fruit but also judicious use of oak—the wine was aged for 9 months in small French oak barrels with 25% new oak.

Tasting Notes: 
Aromas of rose petals, pomegranate, and a touch of nutmeg greet the nose. A light and velvety body embrace the hints of strawberry and black plum fruit with toasted oak notes. On the finish, lingering fruit and spice are balanced with bright acidity and mild tannins. An elegant and tasteful Pinot Noir.

APPELLATION: Russian River Valley
BARREL AGING: 9 months in French Oak barrels
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
pH: 3.66
TOTAL ACIDITY: .615g/100ml

Radford Dale wines are “uncommonly natural”, as their Head of Viticulture and Winemaking likes to say. Radford Dale prides itself on their approach of minimal intervention winemaking, meaning they do everything in their power to make sure the vineyard is part of the local ecosystem (this means minimal pesticides- they prefer boosting beneficial microorganisms instead; nicely deterring local wildlife from sampling the grapes by using nature-friendly methods like spreading dog hair a local groomer to keep birds and bucks away, and composting to remove the need for conventional fertilizer). They also use extreme care when handling their precious grapes. By harvesting by hand at sunrise, using the minimal sulfites by capping with screwcaps, and keeping the skins intact during maturation, Radford Dale ensures the highest quality wines with the least amount of human intervention. 

Radford Dale “Gravity” is a premium, complex and seamless red blend of Syrah, Cabernet, and Merlot. After fermentation, the wine is left on skins for about ten days, which gives it more time to complete its leisurely extraction.  These are not mechanical pressings but natural, gravitational pressings, which give rise not only to the name of this wine but to far more integrated and supple tannins in the final wine. 

Each varietal of the blend contributes its unique characteristics: the Syrah provides its persevering spiciness and its gutsy, supple body; the Cabernet offers its blueberry backbone and dense, ripe tannins; the Merlot brings deep red-berry fruit and suave mouth-feel.

We highly recommend enjoying this wine after decanting and with a hearty meal. 

SCALE NAPA VALLEY RED BLEND 2017

Scaling heights-just like making wine-is a microcosm of life. Reaching the summit may be the goal but the journey is just as important. Reaching the peak is the purpose and the rewarding view at the top symbolize’s beauty of success. Persistence takes us to the peak and upon reaching the summit of our journey we realize the view from the top is totally different than that from the bottom.

Scaling of the wine world literally has brought you to what is exactly in this bottle. This delicious red blend of several different wine grapes sourced from some of the most coveted vineyards in Napa Valley. With a seductive and alluring mix of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, and Counoise that is aged in a combination of both new & used French oak. It captivates you with aromas of briar fruits and dried cherry which is accented by slight hints of vanilla. On the palate, layers of blueberry, mulberry, and boysenberry give way to an edge of espresso, cracked pepper, and a sprinkling of fall spice. These dense aromas and flavors bring you to a lingering finish framed by refined tannins and balanced acidity that will leave you dreaming of another glass long after the bottle is gone.

So grab ahold of this bottle and join us on our journey, and with the first sip, you will know exactly what we mean… SCALE!

Vintage Notes

The 2015 vintage was both hot and dry generally yielding wines of warm fruit and power. Since there was no weather or disease pressure, it was up to the terroir and the winemakers to produce what they felt should be the best possible outcomes. In retrospect, a lot of the Pinot Noirs are darker in fruit, spicy and warm on the palate. The better examples are perhaps a bit more structured when acidity could be preserved, showcasing fresher aromatics.  

HARVEST & WINEMAKING NOTES 

Every wine produced under the Angela Estate label is single vineyard, estate Pinot Noir. The vines are farmed nutritionally, which treats the microbiology in the vineyards section by section. Soil and stem samples are analyzed for nutritional value. It is the most specific grape farming imaginable. Our fruit is hand harvested in the early morning in small 14” buckets. It is then hand sorted and de-stemmed, deposited into one-ton bins for small-batch fermentations. After fermentation, the free-run juice is settled and put into barrel. The must is placed in specialized bladder presses for gentle pressing that do not exceed one atmosphere of pressure. The wine rests for 10 to 11 months in 30% new French oak barrels. We have typically used Cadus barrels for their warm tonality.

WINE STATISTICS 

APPELLATION: 100% Yamhill-Carlton AVA
COMPOSITION: 100% Pinot Noir
AGEING: 11 months in 30% NFO
CASE PRODUCTION: 2500 cases (9L)
TA: 5.7 G/L
ALCOHOL: 13.9%
pH: 3.76

ABBOTT CLAIM VINEYARD 

Planted in 2001, the Abbott Claim Vineyard is located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. The soils are ancient marine sediment soils: Wellsdale, Peavine, Willakenzie & Melbourne. The elevation runs between 425’ – 475’. The clonal selection is: Pommard (4 acres) Dijon 777 (6.25 acres) and Dijon 115 (5 acres) on Riparia Gloire, 101-14 & 3309 rootstocks. Located on the Savannah Ridge, a unique outcropping of soil that leaves our site drier and accesses mother rock in 5 – 7 years.

2019 BROKENWOOD HUNTER VALLEY SEMILLON 

REGION: Hunter Valley, New South Wales
VARIETALS: Semillon
MATURATION: Stainless Steel
ALCOHOL: 11.0% alc/vol  |  6.90 g/L TA  |  2.99 pH

WINEMAKING: The fruit was hand harvested, crushed, chilled and pressed immediately. Neutral yeasts were used for the fermentation to preserve the fresh fruit flavors and avoid phenolics. Bottled in May. No oak and no malolactic ferment, only stainless steel to retain the crisp acidity.

TASTING NOTES: A vibrant color with a touch more than usual due to the sunshine. Lovely florals and lemon grass aromas. Mouth filling flavors of pear and lemon pith balancing the zesty acid backbone. The aromas and fruit weight belie the low alcohol and reconfirms that the Hunter Valley produces fruit at optimal ripeness at much lower sugar levels. A classic Hunter Valley Semillon to enjoy now or will age gracefully over many years.

ABOUT BROKENWOOD:  A benchmark Australian winery founded in 1970 by Sydney trio Tony Albert, John Beeston and Australia’s leading wine critic, James Halliday, Brokenwood evolved from a weekend venture for these self-professed hobby winemakers into one of Australia’s most reputable wine labels. With the appointment of winemaker, Iain Riggs, in 1982, the company extended its range to include the jewel of the Hunter Valley, Semillon and is known for producing one of the nation’s most iconic single vineyard wines, The Graveyard Shiraz.

2018 BOUGETZ CELLARS PARCHED. SONOMA COAST CHARDONNAY

WINEMAKERS NOTES:
The 2018 parched. Chardonnay is a single vineyard wine originating from the Gold Coast Vineyard in the Sonoma Coast AVA. With San Pablo Bay in view from the vineyard, the fruit for this wine is protected with a blanket of fog throughout the summer mornings, retaining the freshness in this wine. Having gone through full malolactic fermentation in barrel, the bright apple aromatics still jump out of the glass. Retaining some mid-palate bodyweight from barrel fermentation, it is surprising how clean this wine is on the palate. Great with food and will hold up to medium term cellaring. 

HARVEST NOTES:
The 2018 growing season began with a relatively dry spring and just a bit below normal rainfall over the winter. Budbreak was close to normal, leading to flowering in late May. The summer didn’t see too many heat spikes, but we were treated to cooler than normal mornings, which slowed down the maturation process leading to a night pick on October 14th. 

Harvest date:  October 14th, 2018 
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Vineyard: Gold Coast Vineyard
Brix at harvest: 25.5
Fermentation: 50% new French Oak, 50% used French Oak
Aging: Aged 10 monthly in French oak, on the lees, stirred monthly
Alcohol: 14.5%
pH: 3.46
TA: 6.40 g/L
Bottled: July 2019
Case production: 155 cases
Winemaker: Thomas Bougetz 

Outlot Sauvignon Blanc 2018

VINIFICATION
Following a long growing season characterized by moderate temperatures throughout the spring and summer, Sonoma County’s 2018 harvest played out like a dream. The harvest began about two weeks later than in previous years but was more in line with normal timing in the years before the drought. The vintage shows exceptional quality, thanks to consistent growing conditions and cooler temperatures which allowed the grapes to mature slowly. More than many of its sister varieties, Sauvignon Blanc reflects its origins in the flavor profile of the wine. To enhance its varietal distinction, we minimize the amount of direct sunlight that touches the berries, opting instead for a dappled light effect that encourages the retention of fresh, ripe green characters. The grapes were harvested at night and the whole berry pressed before fermentation in 100% stainless steel.

TASTING NOTES 
Straw yellow in color with soft green hues, the Outlot Sauvignon Blanc has bold, herbaceous aromas of lime, grapefruit, and gooseberry. Flavors of passionfruit, lemongrass, and gooseberry carry through this bright, medium-bodied wine, finishing with crisp refreshing notes.

VARIETAL COMPOSITION
100% Sauvignon Blanc

APPELLATION
40% Russian River Valley
40% Alexander Valley
20% Dry Creek Valle

DETAILS
Alcohol: 13.3%
Residual Sugar: 3.30 g/L
TA: 6.5 g/L

Fore Family Vineyards: Grenache Blanc, Cobb Mountain Vineyard, Lake County 2018

A summertime favorite, the latest ripening of the Fore Vineyard’s grapes- it always provides interesting Thanksgiving conversation as this is usually still slowly fermenting in the cooler autumn conditions. Where the Fore Family Reds all rely on native yeast for fermentation, this – and the other whites are inoculated with a chosen yeast. Fermentation temperatures are cold, to help maintain bright fresh fruit characteristics. There is no malo-lactic and the wine is aged in small stainless vessels post-fermentation. The wine was filtered prior to bottling.

Nose; cantaloupe melon, Meyer lemon zest, fresh hay summer on the deck

Mouth; a bit less acidic then Albarino,  it is at the same time weightier and more complex. Shows rocky stream, earthy fresh hay, and lemon flavors along with a very nice balance.

A wonderful white for a variety of situations.

Harvest Date; November 5, 2018

pH; 3.48

Ta; 0.60

Alc; 14.3%

Cases produced 70

Color; liquid gold

Even though apartheid ended decades ago, the effects are still felt through the local communities. As part of his commitment to his employees and the community, Alex Dale (of Radford Dale wines) created a trust called The Land of Hope, which provides scholarships to the children and dependents of his employees. Alex states, “From the start, we decided to focus on education. Why? Because you can’t build a new society without giving its young people the intellectual capacity to take themselves – let alone their community – to the next level. We think that giving a first-rate education to every child or dependent of our Previously Disadvantaged Individual employees is the ideal way to reward our team members for their loyalty, beyond-the-call-of-duty work ethic, and dedication over the past two decades”. 

Chenin Blanc is the most widely planted grape in South Africa, yet when apartheid ended, little respect was shown to this truly delicious varietal because it had really only been used to distill cheap brandy and jug wine. 

Instead of focusing solely on grapes labeled “premium” by the wine industry (think Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot, etc), Alex Dale decided to create a wine that elevated the humble and mistreated Chenin Blanc. Handpicked and aged in Burgundian French oak barrels, Land of Hope Chenin Blanc is just rich enough to satisfy the most discerning palate and just acidic enough to be refreshing; the perfect balance. 

With ripe stone fruits and tropical fruits on the nose, a nutty richness on the palate, and a balancing fresh acidity, we recommend enjoying with roasted white meats and Asian-spiced dishes (particularly fish). 

Edouard Labeye is a wine consultant based in the south of France but is well-known throughout the world. This Viognier is classically French; clean and crisp with a gentle minerality that ensures it pairs well with broiled fish or roasted chicken. White wine lovers rejoice- this sublimely elegant Viognier will delight as only a Rhone varietal can.

ABV: 13.0%