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Winemaker Notes
Ladies, gentlemen and fruit flies, these are the 'Cliff's Notes' versions of our wine descriptions; if you have more questions email the winemaker! click here
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2009 White Zeppelin Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco
97% Chardonnay, 3% Viognier
14.53% alcohol, pH 3.43, R.S. 0.27%, 200 cases bottled, retail $20
This debut release of the White Zeppelin Chardonnay was made from clone 4 Arroyo Seco Chardonnay in Monterey County, and blended with a trifle of Viognier from Paso Robles. Fermentation and aging was entirely stainless steel but a substantial amount of natural glycerol was produced, contributing to the extremely rich mouthfeel of the wine. Explosive grapefruit and stone fruit aromas and flavors, and an exceptionally balanced and lush palate and finish, make this a standout among unoaked California Chardonnays.
Silver medal, 2010 Orange County Fair – when the wine was in bottle shock! (15 days old, to be exact.)
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2005 Red Zeppelin Syrah, Bear Valley Vineyard
14.5% alcohol, retail price $20
We have been making our most famous wine from this remote Monterey County vineyard for several years now, and this is the best vintage so far; deep spicy red cherry and plum fruit with mineral and cedar notes and an extremely long finish. Just released! There is 1% of a white grape varietal that was planted amongst the Syrah as the result of a nursery error, which we pick and use in the wine despite the fact that no two viticulturalists agree on what it is. Gold Medal, 2009 San Diego Intl. Wine Competition
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NV (2005/2006) Vinidiction, 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Syrah; Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties. 14.2% alcohol, retail price $24
A blend of Bear Valley and Paso Robles vineyards, this is a seamless and stunning mix of purple fruit and oak spice. An early frost while the 2005 Cabernet was still on the vine cost us that vintage, so we used our 2006 Cabernet instead. Just released! Best of Class (Cabernet/Syrah blends) Central Coast, 2009 California State Fair
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2007 Riesling, Santa Lucia Highlands
13.0% alcohol, retail price $17
The grapes for this slightly off-dry wine come from the coldest part of Monterey County, and the wonderful fruit and acid balance it perfectly. We added 5% Gewurztraminer for complexity. Just Released! Top Ten Whites Under $20, 2009 World Wine Championships
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2008 Pink Zeppelin Dry Rosé, Paso Robles
45 % Grenache, 42% Syrah, 7% Cinsault, 5% Mourvedre, 1% Tenturier
Retail price, $17
Our newest Pink Zeppelin is a completely dry Rosé made from grapes grown at Hall vineyard in Paso Robles. The Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvedre were made as Blancs and then blended with the 24 hour macerated Syrah; the Tenturier was added before bottling. Essentially a white wine in structure, it is both fruity and dry, showing perfumed cherry fruit and lemon-mineral flavors. Serve to a blindfolded sommelier as a test. Gold medal, 94 points, Best of Class, 2009 California. State Fair. Gold medal, 2009 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
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2007 Red Zeppelin Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 4% Merlot, 3% Petite Sirah, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. 6 barrels made: 147 cases
Retail price, $32
Primarily Halter Ranch (Westside) fruit with some exotic barrel treatment; it's quite a big wine, but rich and smooth once the tannins get some air. It's been called lovely already, what can we say? A bit of air for twenty minutes or more, or a few years in the bottle, the choice is yours! |
