Cellar Craft Showcase Collection
Reds Fermented on their Skins
AMARONE STYLE
Oak 2 (double)
Body 5
Sweetness 0
On premise price $208.95 Kit only price $148.95
Winner of 8 medals in 2008, Amarone is a legendary, assertive wine of the Valpolicella area in Italy. Its unique and distinctive character comes from the addition of dried grapes during fermentation. The resulting depth is likened to Port or Late Harvest wines but without the sweetness.
The wine has a foundation of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes from the Veneto region. The must is fermented on our “super pack” of crushed varietal grapes from over 10 pounds of virgin fruit plus 4 pounds of whole red wine grapes which have been sun-dried to concentrated perfection. A double dose of untoasted oak is used to balance the wine and with aging, tame the natural tannins.
The wine is full-bodied, deep garnet in colour, and is richly dry. Notes of plum, sour cherry, raspberry and vanilla gradually marry with anise, bitter chocolate, coffee, tobacco, leather and fig tones that develop with age. It has a long, lingering finish and an alcohol content that should exceed 15%. Try to give this wine at least a year of aging to enjoy the truly remarkable Amarone experience.
ROSSO FORTISSIMO
On premise price $200.95 Kit only price $140.95
This multiple medal winner is our original “Crushed Grape Pack” wine. Super-Tuscan styled wine vinted from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and other native Italian varieties. It is fermented on crushed Yakima Merlot grape skins.
A big, full-bodied wine with solid structure and bold fruit notes. Complex cassis, plum and cherry notes balance the bold tannins. French and American oaks contribute toasty vanilla and greater depth in this intense wine. Like all “Crushed Grape Pack” wines, a minimum of 6 months aging is required to begin to see harmony develop. A year is better and 2 years will yield a very special wine for your enjoyment.
CHATEAU DU PAYS
On premise price $200.95 Kit only price $140.95
Multiple medal winner in the style of fine wines from the southern Rhone Valley. This wine derives its complex character from Syrah, Carignan and Grenache grapes. It is fermented on Syrah and Grenache crushed grapes.
Rich flavours suggestive of cherry, raspberry, blackberry and plum combine with notes of pepper and chocolate. The finish shows a subtle herbaceous note and a suggestion of cedar and violets.
Enjoyable after 3 months but does show its harmonious best after 9 months.
SYRAH
On premise price $200.95 Kit only price $140.95
This multiple medal winner originates in the Rattlesnake Valley Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington. Wine & Spirits magazine recently described Yakima Syrah as:”…easily in a league with those from the northern Rhone and southern Australia… bold, rich and lively, seductively perfumed and heroically structured with a kiss of elegance”.
Expect an aromatic rush of red and black fruit; hints of chocolate, coffee and licorice followed by the spiciness of black pepper in the Rattlesnake Valley Syrah. Our two-stage oaking keeps the fruit in check and adds great structure.
The deep-purple hued wine shows well after a minimum of 3 months but definitely benefits from extended aging. 1 or 2 years in the cellar will allow the wine to grow to its full, unbelievable potential.
CABERNET – SHIRAZ
On premise price $200.95 Kit only price $140.95
This wine is sourced from the White Sands & Rattlesnake Valley Vineyards, Yakima Valley, Washington
Yakima Cabernet and Syrah (Shiraz) are often compared to the great wines of Australia, but they are also recognized as having their own, perhaps more sophisticated charm. We agree and suggest that if you enjoy the big fruity reds from down-under, you will want to discover why there is so much buzz about the powerhouse reds grown in Yakima.
This medal winning blockbuster of a wine has a rush of blackberry, plum, cherry and candied orange fragrances. These are followed by flavours of currant, fig, cedar and spice intertwined with a beautiful balance of toasted oaks. It has a rich, elegant finish.
Powerful flavours of fruit start to come together after 2 – 3 months of aging. After 6 – 12 months the tannins soften and the wine’s elegant charm really starts to reveal itself. It can be cellared for more than 2 years.
MALBEC (ARGENTINEAN)
Not currently available
It is already an award winner and the definitive star of Argentina. Robert Parker Jr., the world’s foremost wine guru has stated “(…Argentinean Malbec’s) place in the pantheon of Noble wines will be guaranteed.”
Our Malbec is distinguished by its dark, dense structure; full-rounded mouth-feel; prominent, lush flavours of ripe cherry, black currant and black berry; subtle notes of clove, vanilla and caramel with background suggestions of earthiness. The bright vibrant edge is beautifully counter-balanced by our 2-stage Hungarian oak process.
MERLOT
On premise price $191.95 Kit only price $131.95
Sourced from the white Sands Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington, this bold, yet elegant merlot is big and full with up-front waves of raspberry, blackberry and plum. Subtle notes of cedar and mocha follow the fruit. Over time, the flavours harmonize while the select oak contributes a tempering vanilla note and establishes a sumptuous combination of textures and well defined structure.
Dark, rich and intense, it is a wine worthy of aging; will continue to improve for at least 2 years in the bottle.
PINOTAGE
On premise price $205.95 Kit only price $145.95
Our Pinotage comes from the Du Plessis Organic Vineyard, Breede River Valley, South Africa.
A multiple medal winner, Pinotage is a cross of Burgundy’s delicate Pinot Noir and Rhone’s robust Cinsault. It has become the trademark grape of South Africa. The Du Plessis vineyard is situated on the slopes of the Keeromsberg Mountains at 6,800 feet above sea level, where it enjoys a combination of hot days and cool nights – ideal conditions for fine Pinotage. The vineyard is certified as being fully organic.
The finished wine is a remarkable example of the complex and distinctive character of South Africa’s unique red wine. It releases atomatics of black pepper, red currant, vanilla, spice, cedar, toasted hazelnuts, cherry and trademark notes of banana with a slight earthiness. The flavours are complex with dominant currant, cherry, banana, blackberry, vanilla and toastiness. It is beautifully balanced with great colour. Medium soft tannins compliment its long, clean finish.
The mature character should be revealed in 6 months and further refinement is expected for up to 2 years.
ZINFANDEL
On premise price $192.95 Kit only price $132.95
Old Vines in the Ferrero Vineyards, Lodi California are the source of this multiple medal winner. The vineyard in Lodi has sandy, clay loam soil. Hot days, cool nights and 35 year old vines combine to produce unique grapes bursting with complex, concentrated flavours.
Exhibiting silken layers of multidimensional delight, it starts with an up-front core of blackberry and dark cherry aromas. This is followed by suggestions of blueberry, raspberry, cranberry, and dried plum. Undertones are of chocolate, almond and exotic spice. At the finish there is an unmistakable black pepper sensation.
Enjoy your first bottle after 2 – 3 months when the powerful fruit flavours dominate. However, do cellar some for months, or years, to experience a more refined balance and the vast array of characteristics which time integrates into harmonized waves of complexity.
ZWEIGELT
On premise price $215.95 Kit only price $155.95
The Weigut Huber vineyard, Traisental, Austria is the source of this winner of 10 Gold medals in 2008. Austria’s most widely planted red is a cross between St. Laurent and Blaufrankisch. It has gained favour because of its appealing fruit and spice character which are likened to a Cotes-Du-Rhone. It is also cold hardy and early ripening – important traits in the cool Austrian vineyards.
Our Zweigelt comes from the Huber family estate which is now being farmed by the 9th generation. It is dark cherry in colour with an opulent bouquet of red fruit, including raspberry, cherry and currant, These stand against a background of vanilla, black pepper and a hint of licorice. There is also a certain earthiness on the nose that provides a compelling counter-balance to the lively fruit and spice. The flavours echo the cherry, currant and earthy aromatics. The initially rustic tannins quickly mellow into a nicely structured state and contribute to a nice, long finish.
This Zweigelt is a great food wine. It is the wine of choice for Austrian favorites like garlicky pork, cabbage and apples and braised shanks or ribs. A spicy fruit-driven wine with moderate tannins that is a welcome alternative to universally produced Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah. It is truly a wine that you will want to discover.
CABERNET – MERLOT
On premise price $200.95 Kit only price $140.95
This multiple medal winner comes from the Bare Ridge Vineyard, Walla Walla, Washington. The Walla Walla appellation is very special. Its outstanding reds were what first put Washington on the world wine map. The wines are now grouped with world standard reds from Bordeaux, Napa and the Sonoma valley. Walla Walla cabernets and merlots consistently rank in top 10 lists of the finest from the Americas.
Our Bare Ridge offering is the classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet and Merlot but typifies the unique Walla Walla profile of intense fruit and spice flavours and aromatics. Notes of currant, cherry and plum are backed by hints of black pepper, anise and coffee. Two-stage French and Hungarian oaking nicely mellows the tannins and adds a suggestion of toastiness.
CARMENERE
Not currently available
Multi-flavoured Carmenère from Clochagua Valley, Chile shows best when processed with extended oak contact. Again we utilize our break-through, two stage oaking system. Hungarian oak shavings are introduced at the start of fermentation; then lightly toasted Hungarian oak cubes are used for further extraction during the post-fermentation stage. The oaks together add surprisingly soft tannins. Subtle toast, and vanilla provide a terrific backdrop to the aromas and flavours of blackberry, black cherry, tropical fruit, and spice from the grapes.
With age, notes of coffee, mocha, and tobacco can be expected along with a mineral tang that forms a part of the lengthy finish. The wine is medium to full bodied with a bright ruby colour. Its charm will begin to show after 6 months of cellaring, and it should continue to develop for at least 2 years.
TEMPRANILLO
Not currently available
Tempranillo has long been the star grape of Spain and is grown in several areas, producing many styles. Our La Mancha Tempranillo is characterized by a juicy, fruity quality with bright aromas and flavours of ripe cherries followed by hints of cocoa and spice. It shows a racy texture and is medium-bodied. The style will appeal to those who enjoy the modern, approachable style Chianti, Beaujolais, or Valpolicella.
As a plus, we believe you will find that our unique oak treatment adds extra complexity and depth, making our Tempranillo more versatile with food pairings. Our oak process yields soft tannins and contributes a warm vanilla nose as a perfect balance to the dominant cherry aromas. In the background are suggestions of black currant and spice. Flavours echo the aroma with layers of vanilla, currant, coffee and black pepper that linger through the attractive finish.
While young the wine profiles its powerful fruit character. After 4 – 6 months in the bottle, the fruit begins to integrate with the oak and develop a more lush, balanced complexity. Will continue to develop for a least a year.
BARBERA
On premise price $200.95 Kit only price $140.95
Barbera has been the most popular grape in the Piedmont region of Northwest Italy for centuries. In recent years, as growers and winemakers have been adopting more modern techniques, Barbera has undergone a remarkable transformation. With new vineyard care, especially around Alba and Asti, it has emerged as a top-ranked wine which readily withstands comparison to noble Nebbiolo (Barolo) but does not require the extended ageing that Nebbiolo demands.
Deep ruby, medium-bodied, and fruity in its youth, it ages to impressive depth and elegance. The fruit in our 2 year old samples remains as fresh and inviting as it was at 6 months. The oak and tannins have mellowed to a soft and well-rounded impression that lifts the fruit to a most attractive level. We are beginning to better understand why the wines of today’s Piedmont Barbera can retail up to $100.00
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Not currently available
Our offering from the Sunset Ridge Vineyard, Red Mountain, Washington is the winner of 10 Gold Medals in 2009. Red Mountain officially received AVA (American Viticulture Area) status in 2001. AVA status recognizes the area’s unique soil and climate conditions creating a taste profile in its red wine that is truly distinct to the region. The vineyards have high calcium carbonate content in their soil. This imparts a distinctive chalkiness which combines with the powerful dark fruit qualities of the grape to create the big, chewy mouth-feel that is a clear signature of Red Mountain Cabernet. Another distinction is a hint of the orange peel flavour of Grand Marnier. Together these two traits make Red Mountain Cabernet immediately recognizable, highly prized, and much sought after.
Age the wine at least 1 year and then save some to enjoy after 2, 3, or 4 years in the bottle. A wine to save for your best cuts of beef or lamb and luckiest friends.
SHIRAZ (South African)
On premise price $204.95 Kit only price $144.95
This multiple medal winner from Stellenbosch Hills Vineyards, Stellenbosch, South Africa, was our outstanding, award winning 2007 Limited Release. It is back as part of the regular Showcase Collection. This Shiraz continues to gain international recognition for its distinctive new style. It may best be described as having Rhone-style backbone but with heady, New-World, up-front fruit. It is however more refined than many Australian “fruit bombs”.
Fermenting on a Crushed Grape Pack of Stellenbosch Shiraz grapes ensures that the wine shows heightened layers of blackberry, boysenberry, fig and plum. These are followed by notes of cocoa, chocolate and coffee. It subtly shows the trademark black pepper note common to all Syrah and Shiraz. Our two-stage oak treatment, using French and Hungarian oaks, contributes vanilla and toast while harmonizing the many flavours within the wine. A subtle hint of mineral remains in the background, then accompanies the fruit through the long finish.
The wine will begin to show its potential after 6 months ageing and should continue to develop for at least 2 years. Will pair wonderfully with all of your best red meat meals. Sure to impress your guests.
RIVERINA SHIRAZ
Oak 4 & 5 (double)
Body 5
Sweetness 0
Not currently available
This wine from Darlington Point, Riverina, Australia, shows a deep crimson colour with purple undertones. The up-front aromatics reflect the typical dark fruit notes of blackberry, cherry, and plum, complimented by restrained black pepper which should become more pronounced with age. In the background are subtle layers of toast and vanilla from the oak. The aromas continue to the palate creating a soft, rounded expression of the fruits, spice, and oak. Tannins are in gentle harmony with the overall impression and create a well defined yet delicate frame for the wine. This Shiraz should be a very good match for a wide range of foods; steaks, braised lamb shanks, pizzas, chili-con-carne, pastas with tomato-based sauces. The wine is surprisingly approachable just 12 weeks after pitching the yeast but will continue to develop for 2-3 years.
Oak
0-Unoaked
1-American Toasted
2-American Untoasted
3-French
4-Hungarian Shavings
5-Hungarian Cubes
6-Acacia Wood Cubes
7-Hungarian Medium Toasted Shavings
8-Hungarian Untoasted Shavings
Body
1-Light
2-Light/Medium
3-Medium
4-Full
5-Very Full
