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Three Sticks Current Releases Fall 2015 2013

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Three Sticks Current Releases Fall 2015 2013 Durell Vineyard ORIGIN Chardonnay ($48) White gold in the glass with aromas of lemon blossom and fresh fig, this wine offers a refreshing take on Durell Vineyard. Fermented in concrete eggs, the wine exhibits Durell’s signature minerality juxtaposed with a smooth and round mouthfeel. Ageing on the lees in stainless steel barrels develop palate presence, fresh citrus fruit enlivens the wine. Hints of summer peach highlight the long, luscious finish. Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay from Durell Vineyard in Sonoma Valley AVA Cooperage: 12 months in 100% stainless steel Technical Data: 14.5% alcohol by volume; 409 cases produced 2013 Durell Vineyard Chardonnay ($50) Fruit is sourced from two blocks of the Durell Vineyard: Old Wente 1 and Rocky Flat. Flavors of sandalwood, grilled orange and fresh baked bread expand on the palate. Citrus and minerality come together to bring a creamy, complex finish to this balanced wine. Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay from Durell Vineyard in Sonoma Valley AVA Cooperage: 15 Months in French Oak barrels (50% New) Technical Data: 14.5% alcohol by volume; 713 cases produced 2013 Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay, “One Sky” ($50) *Sold out Alluring aromatics of grilled brioche, lemon curd, and pear introduce the second vintage of Chardonnay from Sonoma Mountain. The numerous hills and dales of Sonoma Mountain create the unique convergence of land and climate sought for remarkable wines. Flavors embolden the palate with a luxurious round entry of sweet cream and toasted hazelnuts, punctuated by juicy grapefruit. The wine finishes gracefully with tropical guava and baked Gravenstein apple pie. Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay from Sonoma Mountain AVA Cooperage: 15 months in French oak barrels (50% new) Technical Data: 14.8% alcohol by volume; 274 cases produced 2013 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir “The James” ($60) A combination of three vineyards—Sanford & Benedict, Burning Creek and La Rinconada—these hillside sites boast long hang-times due to their cool coastal location. Picked in the early morning hours in mid-September, these grapes were harvested under a blanket of fog before being transported to the Sonoma winery. Complex wild berry and forest floor on the nose with hints of creamy cherry and loamy earth. On the palate, bright acidity and ripe huckleberry transition into racy red and black fruit with a structured, balanced finish. Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir from Burning Creek, La Rinconada, Sanford & Benedict Vineyards in Sta. Rita Hills AVA Cooperage: 16 months in French Oak barrels (30% new) Technical Data: 13.9% alcohol by volume; 615 cases produced 2013 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($60) Sourced from north of Sebastopol in a highly desirable Pinot Noir growing region due to its cool, breezy climate and prized Goldridge sandy-loam soils. This wine exhibits lots of juicy, red raspberry and cherry cola flavors. Bright on the palate with fresh flavors of currant and earthy forest floor. An expansive mouthfeel and soft tannins, with a finish that lingers with baking spice and light acidity. Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley AVA Cooperage: 16 months in French Oak barrels (40% new) Technical Data: 14.0% alcohol; 573 cases produced 2013 Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir ($60) This unique site is planted on the Santa Maria Mesa in the Santa Maria Valley AVA, and this vintage of Bien Nacido dazzles again with refreshing mint, currant and spiced maple syrup. Light in the glass while demonstrating depth on the palate, sea air and dark cherries coat the mouth and accent the creamy long finish. The soils are well-drained sand, chalk and loam with the vineyard benefiting from a sweeping western exposure. The layers of quilted fog and ocean breezes inject this wine with a freshness of dark fruit flavors and wild spice. Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir from Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley AVA Cooperage: 16 months in French Oak barrels (35% new) Technical Data: 13.9% alcohol by volume; 177 cases produced 2013 Gap's Crown Pinot Noir ($65) The grapes for Gap’s Crown Pinot Noir come from Gap’s Crown Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast. The vineyard is located on the western slope of Sonoma Mountain at an elevation of 300’ to 800’. The second vintage from the Gap’s Crown estate vineyard, this coastal Pinot does a tremendous job of balancing spice and fruit. The nose hints at its cooler origin, while on the palate fresh raspberry and a hint of salted caramel preside. The wine is inviting and bright with acidity. Flavors of homemade cranberry sauce and cheery pie round out the finish. Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir from Gap’s Crown Vineyard in Sonoma Coast AVA Cooperage: 16 months in French Oak barrels (50% New) Technical Data: 14.1% alcohol by volume; 329 cases produced 2013 Durell Vineyard Pinot Noir ($65) This wine is a blend of three vineyard blocks within Durell Vineyard: The Extension, The Terraces and Block R. Block R is planted with Dijon clone 667 and has a lighter soil with red volcanic deposit. This block falls to the east of a slight slope on the western side of Durell in a cool windy spot where cold air pools and winds are channeled down the small sub valley. Small, controlled vines produce fruit much the same, providing strength and structure to the Durell Pinot. The Terraces is planted to Dijon clone 115 and is located on the northern tip of Durell. The exposure is east and the block is the first to see morning sun, missing sunset. The soil is heavier than other blocks, rocky and shallow. This is the true intersection of warmer valley floor influences and cooler coastal characteristics. The Terraces contributes raciness and spice to the Durell Pinot Noir. The Extension is planted to Dijon clone 777 and is located on a steep slope that falls mainly east, but a little to the south and is around the crest of the hill from The Terraces. The rows run downhill from west to east, capturing and distributing the afternoon sun evenly over the vines often yielding the ripest fruit in the blend. Strong vines thrive on varied soil but maintain decent size and canopy. Structure, texture and dark fruit are the characteristics contributed by this block. Leading with the Durell Vineyard’s signature tea leaf and savory mushroom aromatics, this wine captures one’s attention right away. Opening the palate with fresh blackberry, hints of soft leather show true characteristics of this vineyard. This Pinot shows off its wonderful intricacy via layers of dark cherry and earth, embodying the Durell Vineyard’s unique terroir from start to finish. Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir from Durell Vineyard in Sonoma Valley AVA Cooperage: 16 months in French Oak barrels (50% new) Technical Data: 14.1% alcohol by volume; 585 cases produced 2012 Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon ($75) A delightful combination of mountain and valley fruit, this Cabernet is created from lots produced from three vineyards in Moon Mountain District, Sonoma County AVA: Mountain Terraces, Bismark Ranch, Bald Mountain. Mountain Terraces provides the core of the Cabernet Sauvignon used in this blend. This block is on a steeply terraced slope receiving all the benefits of the elements. Structure, length and dark berry flavor are the attributes of this Cabernet. A small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot comes from Bismark Ranch. The Cabernet Sauvignon is lively and grippy with red fruits. The Petit Verdot provides dark aromas and concentrated fruit and can supplement the structure of the Cabernet Sauvignon. Bald Mountain has classic volcanic soil and provides the Malbec for this blend. Varietal Composition: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot from three vineyards in Moon Mountain District, Sonoma County AVA: Mountain Terraces, Bismark Ranch, Bald Mountain Cooperage: 29 months in French Oak (50% new) Technical Data: 14.6% alcohol by volume; 385 cases produced 2012 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($95) The grapes for this inaugural bottling of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon are sourced from two AVAs: Rutherford and Atlas Peak. The Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford comes from Ithaca Vineyards, which is strategically located in the heart of the Rutherford bench. The block sourced from was planted in 2005, all clone 169. Well drained, gravelly, loamy red soils with volcanic deposits define this premium site along with benchland exposure. The fruit from Atlas Peak is sourced from Elkington Setty Ranch which has ideal south/southwest exposure. The ranch is situated on the eastern shoulder of Atlas Peak, believed to be the site of one of the earliest planted vineyards on Atlas Peak going back to the 1880’s. The ranch is predominated by rocky, well drained volcanic soils. Aromatic scents of ripe dark fruits reveal touches of chocolate and cedar. This lush Cabernet has a rich core of blackberry and fresh currants. The palate is heightened by good density and persistent fruit. Finishing with melded tannins and subtle oak, this wine is balanced, big and elegant. Varietal Composition: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot from Napa Valley AVA Cooperage: 29 months in French Oak barrels (50% new) Technical Data: 14.7% alcohol by volume; 306 cases produced .
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