Appellation Society / Collectors Club
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APPELLATION SOCIETY COLLECTORS CLUB FEBRUARY 2017 \ GREETINGS, CLUB MEMBERS Exciting developments are taking place at the winery, and we are eager to share the news! First, we have created a new intimate space, called Cellar 47, for elevated tastings and private events. In addition, you’ll read more in this issue about the redevelopment of the Le Petit Clos Chardonnay block of our estate vineyard. Lastly, we have recently received some impressive scores on our 2013 and 2014 vintages, beginning with 93 points for the 2014 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon in this month’s club selection! We hope you’ll visit soon and see for yourself what Cellar 47 has to offer. In the meantime, please enjoy the three 2014 vintage wines in your club selection—the Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, Cave 7 Cabernet Sauvignon and Tessitura Red Wine. -Terry Peterson, Director of Consumer Sales WINEMAKERS GATHER IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR FOR THE ANNUAL BARREL TRIAL TASTING AT PINE RIDGE VINEYARDS. THREE YEARS AGO, THE WINEMAKING TEAM BEGAN HOSTING WINEMAKERS FROM AROUND THE NAPA VALLEY, INVITING THEM TO THE WINERY TO TASTE AND EVALUATE MULTIPLE BARREL SAMPLES OF EACH WINE. EACH WINEMAKER WAS ASKED TO SCORE BASED ON WHICH FLAVORS AND CHARACTERISTICS EACH TYPE OF BARREL IMPARTED TO EACH SAMPLE. THE RESULTS WERE INTERESTING AND FUN, AND AT LUNCH THEY HAD A LIVELY DISCUSSION OVER THEIR PREFERRED COOPERS. WINEMAKING UPDATE We’re starting to work on our blends from the 2016 vintage, a process that will last several months as we gradually narrow down which lots we’ll use in each wine. I’m excited about the vintage. Fermentation has been completed on the 2016 vintage wines and the Cabernets are showing great color and flavor. The early assessment shows pronounced tannins and great acids along with substantial fruit, which makes for well-balanced wines. Michael Beaulac, Winemaker, General Manager CELLAR UPDATE In late January and February we’re catching up on a small amount of bottling we couldn’t do in December, partially because the wines weren’t quite ready. Case in point is our 2016 Pine Ridge Vineyards Rosé, which will be released, appropriately enough, on Valentine’s Day. A 50/50 blend of Cabernet and Merlot from our estate vineyards in Oakville and Carneros, this is a beautifully hued wine that offers abundant fruit and floral notes. Ideal for spring and summer sipping! Michael Conversano, Assistant Winemaker VINEYARD UPDATE The big news in the vineyards and in California in general is the amount of rain we’ve been getting in the last several months. We’ve had a series of strong storms that filled our reservoirs and gave the dormant vines a good, deep drink of water. I was looking at some notes I took awhile back, and at this time in 2014 our reservoirs were completely dry. Believe me, it’s a much better feeling when they’re full! Gustavo Aviña, Vineyard Manager WWW.PINERIDGEVINEYARDS.COM • ( 800) 400-6647 APPELLATION SOCIETY WINE SELECTIONS HIGHLY ACCLAIMED AND RECOGNIZED, OUR 2014 WINES REFLECT A VINTAGE WHERE WORDS SUCH AS “QUALITY,” “DEPTH OF FLAVOR” AND “EXCELLENT” ARE BEING ECHOED ACROSS THE VALLEY. WITH AN ABUNDANT CROP AND GOOD FORTUNE, WE INVITE YOU TO ENJOY. 2014 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $100 Member Price: $80 This deeply flavored medium-ruby-colored wine opens with aromas of crushed raspberry, graham cracker and vanilla. The elegant red fruit character, supported by well-integrated tannins, picks up jammy, sweet raspberry and vanilla crème flavors. Inviting nuances of milk chocolate and a silky texture with balanced acidity keep bringing you back to the glass. Additional cellaring will reward the collector. Pair with a game meat such as Cabernet-braised venison or this month’s recipe, Pork Rillette. VARIETAL: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot APPELLATION: Oakville ALCOHOL: 14.6% BARRELS: 60% new French oak, 18 months AGING POTENTIAL: Up to 15 years 2014 Cave 7 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $85 Member Price: $68 This mulberry-colored wine has lifted aromas of dark fruit, wet stone, leather and sweet vanilla. Richly layered flavors of Santa Rosa plum, blueberry and blackberry fuse with a hint of pâte de fruit. Judicious use of oak lets the true fruit flavors reveal themselves, complementing an age-worthy wine with chewy tannins and juicy acidity. Try this wine with a beef tenderloin salad of baby arugula and big shavings of parmesan cheese. VARIETAL: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc APPELLATION: Napa Valley ALCOHOL: 14.8% BARRELS: 50% new French oak, 18 months AGING POTENTIAL: Up to 15 years 2014 Tessitura Red Wine, Napa Valley $65 Member Price: $52 Deep ruby in color and richly woven with aromas of red berries and vanilla, this wine is a hallmark example of Pine Ridge Vineyards; refined elegance, soft and supple yet powerfully robust, complex and layered. Flavors of mixed berry compote, savory bacon and spices with a hint of vanilla and oak, lead to a round entry with fresh acidity and a long sweet vanilla finish. Try with braised short ribs in a port sauce. VARIETAL: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc APPELLATION: Napa Valley ALCOHOL: 14.6% BARRELS: 50% new French oak, 18 months AGING POTENTIAL: Up to 8 years METICULOUS CRAFTSMANSHIP • CONTINUITY • CLASSIC BALANCE COLLECTORS CLUB WINE SELECTIONS IN ADDITION TO THREE PRE-RELEASE WINES, COLLECTORS CLUB MEMBERS RECEIVE 3 LIBRARY WINES . BEFORE SERVING, ALLOW THE BOTTLE TO REST UPRIGHT FOR A MINIMUM OF 48 HOURS FOR ANY SEDIMENT TO SETTLE . AS OLDER CORKS MAY BE BRITTLE, USING AN AH-SO OR TWO-PRONGED PULL IS SUGGESTED. 2007 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $130 Member Price: $104 Sourced from the land of cult wines, Oakville has a deep ruby color with a scarlet rim. This classic is reminiscent of a left bank Bordeaux, with aromas of cedar, rose petal, black olive and cherry. Richly layered flavors of dark chocolate, toffee, cinnamon, dark plum and blackberry capture the essence of this terroir. The dark fruit flavors are supported by firm tannins on the finish. Pair this wine with braised lamb with herb-scented jus. VARIETAL: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Malbec APPELLATION: Oakville ALCOHOL: 13.9% BARRELS: 40% new French oak, 13 months AGING POTENTIAL: Enjoy now 2008 Cave 7 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $110 Member Price: $88 Our Cave 7 captures the deep flavor intensity of a classic Cabernet. The bold maroon color reveals a cornucopia of aromas: dried sage, sweet tobacco, leather, dried cranberries and olive tapenade. Fresh fruit flavors of Bing cherry and black raspberry marry with the sweet tobacco and graham cracker accents. This wine has a silky texture and clean, mouthwatering finish. It is drinking beautifully now. Try it with Cabernet-braised red cabbage or roast beef. VARIETAL: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec APPELLATION: Napa Valley ALCOHOL: 14.7% BARRELS: 30% new French oak, 17 months AGING POTENTIAL: Enjoy now 2009 Tessitura Red Wine, Napa Valley $85 Member Price: $68 This brilliant ruby wine captures the deep intensity of dried cherry, blueberry, mocha and savory flavors. French oak brings spice notes to both the flavors and the aromas, reminiscent of sweet chai. From the plush entry to the structured finish, this wine is beautifully balanced and ready to enjoy now, but patience and further cellaring will also be rewarded. Enjoy pairing the 2009 Tessitura with a juicy grilled steak peppered with mushrooms and lardons. VARIETAL: 56% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot APPELLATION: Napa Valley ALCOHOL: 14.5% BARRELS: 40% new French oak, 18 months AGING POTENTIAL: Enjoy now or by the end of 2018 WWW.PINERIDGEVINEYARDS.COM • ( 800) 400-6647 CELLAR 47: A New Tasting Experience If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind venue to hold a special celebration with an educational twist, look no further than Cellar 47, Pine Ridge Vineyards’ newest hospitality space located deep inside our network of wine caves. Named for the 47 acres of estate vineyards in the Stags Cellar 47 is located deep within the heart of our winery's caves. Leap District, Cellar 47 was created to provide an intimate setting for guided, educational tastings and VIP dinners and events. The space was designed by architect Michael Guthrie, who also created the interiors for famed San Francisco eateries Coqueta and Fog City Diner. “Cellar 47 is an ideal venue for our elevated tasting tasting, food pairings and fine dining. Three experiences—Savor Pine Ridge and AVA Vertical television monitors provide guests with a visual Tasting—and also provides a beautiful space for behind-the-scenes look at Pine Ridge Vineyards. private VIP events with an educational component,” The video footage will include vineyard and winery says Terry Peterson, Director of Consumer Sales. activities throughout the annual growing and “We encourage Club members searching for a winemaking seasons. special event space, be it for a private celebration or a business function, to consider Cellar 47. “We really want guests to feel like they’re part We love working with members to design fun and of the winery family; that they’re having an educational experiences that really stand out.” immersive, meaningful experience at Pine Ridge Vineyards,” says Terry. “Even the name—Cellar Set into an alcove off the cave’s main corridor, 47—reflects that desire. The Stags Leap District Cellar 47 has exposed, softly lit rock walls. The is our home; this is the place where it all started. plush leather furnishings, live-edge redwood tables, We want people to get a sense of our roots and Persian-style carpets and nickel-plated chandeliers that rich history.” exude a relaxed, rustic elegance.