AUGUST 2019 A NOTE FROM BRUCE Hello Winos! I hope you are reading this as it is the second email newsle er in our 25 year history. We received a ton of posi ve feedback about our new no Styrofoam policy and the green newsle er. Of course, I did get a few of you who like the paper one so you could read it on your throne. You know who you are (Theo). But anyway thanks again for all being the best wine club members any winery in the universe could ask for. Last year at this me Brandon and his gang were hustling and bustling around ge ng all the bins and equipment out and cleaned up ready for the new vintage to start pouring in, but we are just enjoying the great weather and wai ng for the grapes to ripen up. Looks like we could be a good 2 to 3 weeks behind last year, but we are not worried – we have been through every sort of harvest you could imagine! I also have some very fun and ex- ci ng news for you. My awesome wife Susan spent a couple of months wooing an orphaned cat who was living under a tree. Finally, he trusted her enough to spend me with her and eventually he allowed her to bring him to the winery. He was very shy and mid and was afraid of just about anyone except Susan. But I am happy to announce that we have an amazing new mascot - Timmy the Tiger! We LOVE him and he has already nailed two mice in the back room. Yes!!! We have a new release for our white wine selec on, and it is the most unique offering that we have acquired in years. We are introducing the 2017 Chalone Vineyard Chardonnay. We are the only winery in the world be- sides Chalone Winery that is making a vineyard designated wine from the Chalone Estate and Chalone appella- on. Chalone became famous in the 70’s when their Chardonnay placed third in the historic Judgment of Paris (1976), depicted in the movie Bo le Shock. This was the first me California wines competed against renowned bo lings from Bordeaux and Burgundy in a blind tas ng. California wines swept the compe on and shocked the wine world. Our red only selec on is the 2016 Gold Mine Ranch Zinfandel. This is one of our smallest pro- duc ons and is for wine club members only! Gold Mine Ranch Vineyard was planted in 1914 by Charlie Derrick, just before riding off to join the Cavalry in the first Great War. While Charlie’s gold mine on the property is no longer produc ve, his vines certainly are. Dry farmed and organically man- aged, the fruit from this storied vineyard produces classic Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. Our red selec on for everyone is the 2016 Parmelee-Hill Zinfan- del. Also one of our smallest produc ons, this Sonoma Coast vineyard pro- duces one of the most interes ng cool weather Zinfandels in the world. What can I say – Robert Parker 91 plus points! Way to go Brandon. I hope to see many of you soon and always want to thank all of you for your con nued support! Happy Harvest, Bruce AUGUST 2019 FEATURED WINES
2017 CHALONE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY
TASTE: Beau ful lemon-cream pie and tropical guava notes prepare you for the refreshing palate of peaches and pears. The minerality derived from the unique soils give the wine a slight dusty texture. The finish is reminiscent of bi ng into a fresh Bartle Pear, great juicy texture ending with a bit of a sandy finish. The concentra on of flavors will lend to an approachable wine in its youth, with the ability to gain complexity with extended bo le aging.
WINEMAKER NOTES: “Few winemakers have had the opportunity to work with the fruit from Chalone. Even fewer have had the honor of labeling their wine “Chalone Vineyard.” The vineyard is a stark contrast to the fog-laden chardonnay vineyards of Sonoma County. Arid and rocky, the vineyard produces the highest con- centra on of flavors that I’ve seen in Chardonnay.”
2016 PARMELEE‐HILL VINEYARD ZINFANDEL
TASTE: Cranberry and strawberry cobbler aromas exude as the wine is swirled. As the wine opens, more savory characteris cs of rosemary and black pepper reveal themselves. The entry is luscious and complex, with fla- vors of fresh raspberries and plums intertwining with the sweet vanillin and molasses from the barrel influ- ence. This wine waltzes with all of the taste buds and leaves them begging for just one more dance.
WINEMAKER NOTES: “This is my “terroir” wine. This Zinfandel is planted about 50 miles from our other Zinfandel vineyards in Northern Sonoma County and the different characteris cs are astounding for a rela vely short difference in distance. The grapes hang on the vine for at least two weeks longer than the Zinfandel in Dry Creek Valley. More red fruits and acidity are the hallmarks of this wine. Due to its slightly different varietal characteris cs, I use predominately American Oak Barrels to let the consumer know that it’s s ll Zinfandel.“ 2016 GOLD MINE RANCH ZINFANDEL
TASTE: The combina on of sweet fleshy fruit and savory spice aroma cs mistakenly stamp this wine as Zinfan- del. First impressions of plums and cherries are followed by aromas of anise, peppercorns, and cola. Bright cranberries reward the opening sip with a middle of vibrant raspberry jam and blackberries. The finish leaves the mouth with a slight ckle of texture, showing that this wine will con nue to improve with age over the next decade.
WINEMAKER NOTES “Gold Mine Ranch always reminds me of the history of Zinfandel. Dry Creek Valley began plan ng Zinfandel shortly a er the California Gold Rush of the 1850’s. This ranch was planted 60 years a er the original gold rush, but as evident by the vineyard’s history, the desire to find “gold in them hills” never fad- ed. This vineyard encompasses everything about the spirit of California. It makes me chuckle to think that the original owner could have shouted “Eureka” (California’s State Mo o), “I’ve found gold” (California’s State Min- eral), while being surrounded by Zinfandel (California’s State Grape) and Redwood Trees (California’s State
Tree).”
A SPECIAL OFFER FOR OUR BELOVED WINOS Enjoy 30% savings on re‐orders of current club wines. Order 12 or more bo les of any of the current club wines and receive $10 ground shipping (not valid to HI or AK). To order please contact us at 707‐433‐2222 or [email protected]. Offer expires October 1, 2019
AUGUST 2019 BEHIND THE CELLAR DOOR Harvest is just around the corner! A very wet winter provided ample moisture and nutrients for the vines causing them to grow like weeds. In fact, we didn’t have to irrigate our vines un l two weeks ago, six weeks later than normal. Yet the rains also caused us a few “sleepless nights” as the late showers came close to affec ng this year’s crop. Grapes need gentle wind to self- pollinate. Rain can easily interrupt this fer liza on process, and the grapes actually fall off the vine. We did have some rain during flowering at our vineyard, but as we found out two weeks later our crop set wasn’t materially affected. Whew! It is now our job to manage and balance the number of clusters, shoots and leaves on each vine to produce the highest quality fruit possible. EXCITING NEWS! We purchased a new de-stemming machine, pictured here. This posh piece of engineering is one of the most crucial tools in making great wine, designed to separate the grapes from the stems with a remarkably light touch. We can’t wait to use our new “toy” on some of the best grapes in California! NAMING CONTEST - We need a name for our new de-stemmer so we’re throwing a naming contest. Throw us as many names as you like and if we (me, Bruce and Steve) choose your sugges on, we’ll send you with a 3-bo le ver cal of Maple Vineyards Zinfandel (’15,’16,’17). AND, the winning name will be permanently marked on the de-stemmer for your eternal glory and bragging rights. Email your sugges ons to [email protected]. I hope to see you all at our pickup party, and be sure to feel free to come by any- me. Landin and I will be on the crush pad everyday beginning in September, and we’d love to share this special me with you. Cheers, Winemaker Brandon Lapides Armida Scores Big Again...and Again!
Armida 2018 Redwood Road Estate Sauvignon Blanc
Gold Medal LAS VEGAS WINE AWARDS 92 Points
Armida 2018 Redwood Road Estate Sauvignon Blanc
“This is 100% barrel‐fermented and includes 10% Pinot Gris, in addi on to the Musqué clone of the main grape. Floral and earthy with a barrel imprint of vanilla and oak, it has
flavors of pea shoots, lemon and grapefruit wrapped within a cocoon of sharp acidity.”
WINE ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE 90 Points
Armida 2016 Gap’s Crown Chardonnay
“Dark gold in color, this wine has a robust mouthfeel and a powerful, rich body complemented by sharp acidity. Green apple, honey and Asian pear meet layers of tropical fruit and white
flowers dipped in a mineral tone.” WINE ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE 92 Points
Armida 2015 Maple Vineyards Zinfandel
“The 2015 Maple Vineyard is medium to deep garnet‐purple in color and intensely scented of crushed blackberries, dried mulberries and preserved plums with touches of baking spices, star anise and lled soil plus a wa of truffles. Medium to full‐bodied, the palate is chock‐full of baked black fruits layers and spicy accents, structured with great freshness and firm, chewy tannins, finishing on a lingering earthy note .” ROBERT PARKER’S WINE ADVOCATE 91 Points Armida 2015 Maple Vineyards Zinfandel
“From dryfarmed old vines, this wine is juicy and expansive in richly concentrated fists of dusty blackberry and toffee. There’s a welcome li of freshness on the back of the palate
That lingers on the finish in tones of clove and dark chocolate.” WINE ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE 90 Points