BLACKBIRD VINEYARDS Artisanal producer of Pomerol inspired wines Oakville, California Blackbird’s story lies in the pedigree of the vineyard. Located in the heart of the Oak Knoll District this former walnut orchard was planted with 5717 vines in 1997 and has since provided fruit to many of Napa’s finest wines from Foley, Dalle Valle, and Pride. Blackbird Vineyards is now surely poised to join such illustrious names. Polenske likens the district and vineyard to France’s Pomerol region, known for its stellar Merlots. The higher clay content of the soils and cooler climate have the potential to produce Merlot with the structure and finesse not often associated with the Napa Valley. The Oak Knoll District became Napa Valley’s most recent AVA. It can be found just north of the city of Napa and shares common boundaries with Mount Veeder to the west, Yountville to the north and Stags Leap to the northeast. It is second only to Carneros as Napa’s coolest AVA and has a fine, gravely clay loam soil. Blackbird Vineyard is comprised of Haire-Combs soil; predominantly the Haire type of soil. It holds proper soil moisture down deep and is available to the vines and allows Blackbird to be virtually dry-farmed. Haire soils are moderately well drained. The surface layer is brown and grayish brown loam or clay loam. The subsoil extends to a depth of 60 inches or more. It is pale brown and pale yellow clay and sandy clay. Coombs soils are also well drained. The surface layer is brown and pale brown gravelly loam and clay loam. The subsoil is brown, light brown, and pink clay loam. The substra- tum is very gravelly loamy fine sand. Proprietor, Michael Polenske. President, Paul Leary. Winemaker, Aaron Pott. 2007 Blackbird ‘Illustration’ Proprietary Red Wine - 6/750ml $420 net / pre offer net $384 / order ___ case(s) 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec. A dense nose of plum, cherry, and mulberry with hints of iris, mint and tobacco weaved throughout. Elegant flavors of red currant, coffee, licorice and tobacco deliver on the palate, offering soft texture, velvety tannins, with great complexity and length. Illustration is optimal to drink after decanting or can be laid down to develop further with time in the bottle. Touted as the “vintage of the decade” by wine critics and winemakers alike, Blackbird’s 2007 wines offer approachable tannins with incredible flavor concentration and length imparted by the mild growing season. ~ Aaron Pott. The heart is full of infinite possibilities...Illustration represents the core - the heart - of Blackbird Vineyards. Every element of Black- bird’s multi-faceted wine portfolio draws inspiration from this singular, Pomerol-inspired Merlot. It is an undiluted illustration of the passion, time and concentration invested in creating elegant, multi-layered wines. Illustration challenges the notion that Cabernet Sauvignon is the only age-worthy red wine crafted in the Napa Valley. 2007 Blackbird ‘Paramour’ Proprietary Red Wine - 6/750ml $420 net / pre offer net $384 / order ___ case(s) 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. A generous nose of juicy, sour cherry, blueberry, tobacco and cedar. On the expressive palate, dark fruit characters meld with notes of chocolate and subtle mint. This wine offers great texture, soft tannins, and impressive balance which carry on to the polished, lingering finish. Paramour is ideal for drinking beyond the next decade. Touted as the “vintage of the decade” by wine critics and winemakers alike, Blackbird’s 2007 wines offer approachable tannins with incredible flavor concentration and length imparted by the mild growing season. ~ Winemaker, Aaron Pott Paramour possesses both sensuality and commanding structure. Merlot and Cabernet Franc have a fragile but irresistible chemistry that flourishes when climate, soils and seasons align. The grapes allotted for this graceful red wine are grown in only the most auspicious condi- tions. Paramour reveals the passionate relationship between these two varietals and between winegrower and land. 2007 Blackbird ‘Arise’ Proprietary Red Wine - 6/750ml $264 net / pre offer net $228 / order ___ case(s) 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Arise captures the charming essences of Napa Valley’s unique terroir. Harvested, vinified, and barrel aged with an identical commitment to quality and excellence as our core wines, every vintage of this sister label Bordeaux-inspired blend is hand-tuned to express the luscious flavor profiles and lithe structure that only comes from exceptional fruit. Cream Wine Company 118 N. Peoria, Chicago IL 60607 312.421.1900 [email protected] www.creamwine.com.