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New Releases

2011 Estate Rosé of Syrah
2011 Estate Sauvignon Blanc
2011 Estate Riesling

Vintages

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

2011 Estate Rosé of Syrah

Vineyard and Vintage Notes:
The 2011 vintage marks the first production from our Picnic Ridge block of Syrah. Originally planted to Zinfandel, this one acre parcel on a Northwest facing slope was budded (grafted) over to Syrah in the summer of 2010. Getting a little less afternoon sun than was desired for Zin, we decided to make it into a dedicated Rosé vineyard. We have been pleasantly surprised with the wonderful flavors and great natural acidity that fruit from this site has displayed.

Winemaking Notes:
The two lots of Rosé were picked almost a month apart, owing to the very cool conditions we faced throughout the summer. These lots were fermented in neutral French oak and have produced remarkably similar wines. Blended together after fermentation, the wine was stored in stainless steel for 6 weeks to achieve stability and bottled in January to capture the youthful essence of the wine.

Tasting Notes:
The 2011 Rosé, made entirely of Syrah, embodies elegance and sophistication. The nose opens with wonderful sour cherry and cranberry balanced by hints of melon and guava. The palate begins with a bright zing of acidity complemented by a full bodied intensity that envelope the mouth. This crisp, well-balanced Rosé will pair well with Dungenous crab salad, marinated barbequed shrimp, and lightly spiced Asian dishes.

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2011 Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Vineyard and Vintage Notes:
The 2011 vintage was marked by the coolest and wettest summer in the last two decades. These conditions can be dangerous for some varietals but proved to be a boon for our Sauvignon Blanc, helping to develop deep and complex flavors. Combined with a lush natural acidity, these grapes were fully mature and downright delicious at the time of harvest.

Winemaking Notes:
Harvested at optimum maturity, roughly 22 brix, these grapes displayed full flavor balanced by striking acidity. The grapes underwent a gentle whole cluster press to maximize quality and complexity. The juice was chilled and cold fermented in stainless steel to preserve the bright flavor, and a portion of the wine spent two months in French oak to highlight and round out the finish.

Tasting Notes:
Once again, our Sauvignon Blanc is a unique and delightful expression of the vineyard. The nose opens with a beautiful floral bouquet, complemented by bright citrus and a hint of honey. The palate is light and crisp showcasing juicy, ripe lemon and a wonderful counterpoint of acidity. The wine closes with a delicate hint of oak, adding depth and balance. Our 2011 Sauvignon Blanc will pair well with a range of seafood dishes, as well as light salads and beautiful spring days.

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2011 Estate Riesling

Vineyard and Vintage Notes:
The second harvest from our Riesling vines confirms our belief that this vineyard is destined to grow some serious wines. The 2011 growing season was one of the toughest in recent memory, with rain in early October forcing winemakers to choose between under-ripe fruit or the possibility of rot. Fortunately for our Riesling, a little botrytis (or “Noble Rot” in Europe) can be beneficial. Harvested in the middle of October with a wonderful balance between sugar and natural acidity, our Riesling remains a rising star in our Estate portfolio.

Winemaking Notes:
The 2011 Riesling vintage gave us an opportunity to look back to the masters of the Old World. We decided to use the Steinberger yeast for our Riesling in 2011, a classic German strain. Steinberger is known for slow fermentation and a tolerance to cold temperatures, allowing our wine to ferment for nearly five weeks at 50 degrees. This long, cool fermentation preserved the wonderful aromatics typical of the varietal. Made in the off-dry style, the wine was fermented and stored in stainless steel to showcase its delicate complexity.

Tasting Notes:
Our 2011 Riesling continues in the tradition of its predecessor, and is made in an off dry style. The wet growing season created botrytis issues in most of Northern California’s premium growing regions, but luckily for us, Riesling likes a little botrytis; the noble rot can produce flavors of honey and candied apples in the finished wine. The aromatics on the nose are lively, displaying banana and green apple characteristics. The palate begins with a zing of acidity, followed by a hint of sweetness which lingers into the wonderfully smooth finish. Our most versatile wine in terms of food pairings, Riesling can bring life to a simple beet salad and lend complexity spicy Indian and Thai food - experiment and enjoy!!

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2010 Estate Rosé of Syrah

Vineyard and Vintage Notes:
The 2010 vintage was one of the coolest growing seasons in California's winemaking history. These cold conditions produced wonderful natural acidity in the grapes. Harvested in mid-October, nearly two weeks later than previous vintages, this Rosé showcases the extended hang time.

Winemaking Notes:
The extremely cool conditions of the 2010 vintage created the unique opportunity for us to produce a larger quantity of Rosé while maintaining our benchmark quality. The high natural acid content of the grapes allowed for this wine to be created with very little manipulation. Crushed and soaked on skins for only four hours this wine was fermented in neutral French oak barrels. Following fermentation the wine was stored in stainless steel and bottled young to capture its vibrant flavors.

Tasting Notes:
This unique Rosé showcases the full bodied flavors of a red wine while maintaining the delicate floral components of a blush. The nose opens with wonderful cherry and rose petal notes painted over an earthy background. The pallet begins with bright zing of acidity complemented by a full bodied intensity that envelope the mouth. The finish is clean and brisk leaving the taster wanting another sip of this delicate wine.

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2010 Estate Heritage Tree Zinfandel

Vineyard and Vintage Notes:
The 2010 growing season was one of the coolest in recent memory. Late spring rains and chilly conditions through June and July delayed the harvest until mid-October. Growing grapes under these strenuous conditions was a test of patience and fortitude in the vineyard, and understanding our vineyard was instrumental in planning crop levels and preparing for a delayed harvest. The longer hang time produced wonderful complexity in the fruit, allowing for the development of deep and delicious flavors.

Winemaking Notes:
Creating two zinfandels each year has allowed us to select the most ripe and perfect fruit for our Heritage Tree selection. Created in a “reserve” style, this wine is designed to showcase the power and full throttle nature that Zinfandel can possess. Fruit was selected from our most mature vineyard blocks, and owing to the cool weather, the additional hang time allowed these blocks to produce fruit of exceptional quality. Deeper flavors allowed for the addition of a larger amount of French oak, which complements the wine’s more robust tones.

Tasting Notes:
Our Heritage Tree Zinfandel is a classic display of Zin’s tendency toward ripe flavors and a full bodied finish. The nose opens with deep blackberry and currant supported by hints of clove and coffee. Following the wonderful aromas, the palate is treated to dark red fruit flavors and finished by a generous helping of oak which rounds out the pleasantly lingering tannins.

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2010 Estate Mountain Cuvée Zinfandel

Vineyard and Vintage Notes:
The 2010 growing season was one of the coolest in recent memory. Late spring rains and chilly conditions through June and July delayed the harvest until mid-October. Growing grapes under these strenuous conditions was a test of patience and fortitude in the vineyard, and understanding our vineyard was instrumental in planning crop levels and preparing for a delayed harvest. The longer hang time produced wonderful complexity in the fruit, allowing for the development of deep and delicious flavors.

Winemaking Notes:
A combination of our Old Vineyard block and the youthful Picnic ridge block, this wine is a classic showcase of our Mountain Cuvée style. Grapes were fermented separately in small bins with manual punch-downs, in order to assess the differences in each vineyard. Deciding that the combination was better than the stand alone wines, the two blocks were blended together. The spicy red fruit characteristics of the Old Vineyard block were the perfect counterpoint to the dark raisin aspect of the picnic ridge fruit. Blended with 17% Petite Sirah, the finished wine is immanently drinkable and a joy for any palate.

Tasting Notes:
Our Mountain Cuvée is a wine created to have the broadest possible appeal. The nose is a wonderful combination of spicy and cherries, with a hint of sweet oak. The palate opens in a classic Zin fashion with raspberry and clove, complimented by plush but soft finish of tannins that leave the mouth wanting another sip. A definite crowd-pleaser that will pair well with everything from tomato-based pasta dishes to roasted lamb.

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2009 Estate Mountain Cuvée Zinfandel

Vineyard and Vintage Notes:
The 2009 growing season was a marked by a cool summer that transitioned into a hot autumn. These growing conditions created higher than average sugars and fully ripe grapes, and high temperatures in September created optimal timing for the harvest. For once, our Zinfandel grapes allowed us to pick on our schedule rather than on the dictates of Mother Nature.

Winemaking Notes:
The 2009 harvest was our second from the young St. Peters Church vines in our "Old Vineyard" block. Our "Ridge Top" block is a small parcel of sundrenched vines at 1850 feet, the highest elevation vineyard site on the property. Fermented separately and aged in a combination of French and American oak, these blocks were selected for their ability to complement each other's strengths. Powerful and brooding, our "Ridge Top" block was combined with the youthful intensity of our "Old Vineyard" block to create and complex and highly enjoyable wine.

Tasting Notes:
Our Mountain Cuvée blend changes with each vintage to fully capture the vineyard at its peak, and 2009 was no exception. Predominantly zinfandel with a dash of petite sirah, this wine opens with a wonderful nose of clove and spice balanced with an expressive signature of American oak. The pallet begins with bright red fruit and raspberry notes followed by a burly combination of chocolate and toast. The finish is smooth with a light tannic note that ensures a lingering presence on the palate.

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2009 Estate Heritage Tree Zinfandel

Vineyard and Vintage Notes:
The 2009 growing season was a marked by a cool summer that transitioned into a hot autumn. These growing conditions allowed for higher than average sugars and fully ripe grapes. High temperatures in September created optimal timing for the harvest. This allowed us to pick the grapes when we wanted to, rather than on the dictates of Mother Nature.

Winemaking Notes:
The 2009 harvest represents our third crush at the estate winery, and many winemakers believe it takes three vintages to learn the particulars of any given vineyard. I think that this old saying is true for our Heritage Tree block. The full developed clusters were a classic blend of raisins and plush dark berries. The mature flavors of this wine allowed for a higher percentage of oak to be used, creating a deep and complex wine.

Tasting Notes:
This 2009 Heritage Tree offering is a classic example of Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. The nose opens with a spicy display of cinnamon and lush red fruit. The pallet begins with a combination of dark red fruit complemented by notes of clove and all spice. The finish is lengthily with a solid tannic core that hints at this wine's aging potential.

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2009 Estate Late Harvest Zinfandel

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2009 Estate Syrah

Vineyard and Vintage Notes:
In 2009 we continued the experimental vineyard practice started in 2008, allowing a slightly larger crop to hang in the vineyard following our green drop in order to create a dedicated fruit Rosé. Approximately one month prior to our anticipated harvest date we picked the top cluster of each cane for the Rosé, allowing the remaining Syrah clusters to ripen and develop deep flavors over the following month.

Winemaking Notes:
Harvested near the end of October, our Syrah was fully mature and illustrated the complexity that develops with extended hang time. Fermentation was carefully managed in small bins with manual punchdowns and extended maceration. With just under three tons of fruit harvested, this wine was truly “hand-crafted” in every sense of the word.

Tasting Notes:
Made in the lineage of our stellar 2007 Estate Syrah, this wine opens with a nose of violets and sun ripened blueberry painted over a background of leather and nuanced spice. The mid-palate is supple and well structured, with a juiciness that envelopes the mouth yet remains delightfully soft. The finish is long, with well-developed tannins that ensure this wine will cellar for years to come.

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2009 Estate Petite Sirah

Vineyard and Vintage Notes:
The 2009 vintage marked the beginning of a new challenge for the vineyard. A cold and wet spring delayed the onset of bud break in many of our vineyards, and these conditions necessitated a later than normal harvest for our Petite Sirah. The extended hang time brought us precariously close to winter rains, but allowed for full development of flavors and an opportunity to harvest at optimum physical maturity.

Winemaking Notes:
Petite Sirah grapes create a dreamy opportunity for winemakers, with steady, low heat fermentations that always seem to finish easily and at moderate alcohols. This wine was no exception, a near perfect fermentation created a clean expression of fruit and tannin. These pure flavors allowed us to experiment with different levels of toasting in the barrel ageing process; by utilizing a slightly higher amount of heavy toasted oak, the tannins were rounded and softened to create a unique expression of our vineyard.

Tasting Notes:
Rich, deep purple in the glass, with aromas of lavender and dark fruit balanced by meaty, earthy undertones. This wine bucks the stereotype of Petite Sirah being all finish and no flavor, and really begins to shine after an hour of decanting, revealing luscious aromas of fruit, cocoa, tobacco and a hint of molasses. The finish is strong but not abrupt, giving you the desired “oomph” of a Petite Sirah without being dry or abrasive. A truly delicious wine that will only get better with time.

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2008 Estate Mountain Cuvée Zinfandel

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2008 Estate Syrah

Vineyard and Vintage Notes:
The 2008 vintage followed the trend of the previous year with an extremely hot and dry growing season. 2008 was the first year we decided to enhance our winemaking portfolio by harvesting half of the Syrah vineyard for a Rose. We allowed the strongest Syrah vines to carry the remaining fruit well into October, where it was fully mature at harvest and exhibited wonderful concentration and intensity.

Winemaking Notes:
With only two tons harvested this wine was fermented in small bins. This small lot process allowed for careful monitoring and management of the fermentation, and manual punchdowns were used to extract the ideal amount of tannin. This wine was truly “hand-crafted.”

Tasting Notes:
The nose opens with classic Syrah qualities of plush dark fruit tempered with hints of leather. The pallet is full bodied and displays blueberry and chocolate with a complement of round oak and hints of vanilla. The lengthy finish exhibits balanced tannins that will allow this wine to age gracefully for years to come.

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2008 Estate Petite Sirah

Vineyard and Vintage Notes:
The 2008 vintage followed in the trend of the previous year with an extremely hot and dry growing season. This allowed the vines to produce concentrated and intense fruit and ensured full and ripe flavors. The heat also produced a huge number of wild fires in Mendocino County, which impacted this fruit differently than any other in our vineyard.

Winemaking Notes:
The lush, beautiful fruit was picked at optimum maturity in early October. After a remarkably hassle-free fermentation the wine was pressed and stored in a combination of French and American oak to enhance its tannin structure and dark fruit intensity.

Tasting Notes:
As is characteristic of many wines from this vintage, our Petite Sirah has developed an unusual smoky quality on the nose. Although not unpleasant this smokiness masks the layers of oak and fruit usually exhibited by our petites. The pallet shows dark fruit and a full bodied and tannic finish which should age well.

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2007 Estate Zinfandel

Wine Enthusiast Rating:
"Dry, soft and a little hot, it shows massive blackberry tart, black cherry pie, blueberry jam, chocolate, anise, pepper and Indian spice flavors. Almost Port-like, but never loses essential control, and a fine example of Dry Creek." – W.E. (9/1/10) 92 Points

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2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

90 POINTS – Wine Enthusiast

Harvest: September 8, 2007

Vineyard Block: Watchtower Vineyard Block

Blend: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petite Verdot

Aging: 24 Months French Oak, 66% New

Alcohol: 14.22%

Total Production: 55 Cases

Release Date: November 6th 2010

WINE CLUB ONLY

Vineyard and Vintage Notes:
2007 was our first year of full estate production at Gustafson Family Vineyards. Coincidentally, 2007 was also one of the best growing seasons California has seen in almost a decade. Our 3 year old Cabernet vines produced a small batch of extremely flavorful and concentrated fruit. Low yields permitted for an early harvest, allowing the fruit to maintain bright natural acidity and contributing to this wine’s excellent structure and balance.

Winemaking Notes:
With only a small quantity of fruit to work with this wine was fermented in individual one-ton bins, a micro-process that allowed for remarkable tannin extraction without the loss of ripe fruit character. Aged for two years in French oak, this wine demonstrates classic integration of layered complexity and structure.

Tasting Notes:
The nose opens with lush dark fruit and complex layers of oak lightly touched with cinnamon and vanilla. The pallet displays full bodied fruit and classic blackberry notes. The finish is concentrated oak with rounded tannins, ensuring that this wine will cellar for years to come.

Wine Enthusiast Rating:
“This rich, fruity Cabernet comes from one of the higher mountain regions in Dry Creek Valley. It’s enormously concentrated in blackberry, black currant and oak flavors, with the briary, peppery note so often found in Dry Creek reds. Good, if a little rustic. Give it three or four years...” - W.E. (9/1/2010) 90 Points

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2007 Estate Petite Sirah

92 POINTS, CELLAR SELECTION – Wine Enthusiast

Harvest: September 16, 2007

Vineyard Block:  East Ridge Block

Blend: 89% Petite Sirah 11% Zinfandel

Aging:  18 months French and American Oak – 33% new

Alcohol:  14.62%

Total Production: 480 Cases

Release Date: November 1st 2009

Vineyard and Vintage Notes:
The East Ridge vineyard block sits on uniformly gravelly soil in a protected northeast facing slope.  Situated at 1770 feet this block receives cool morning sunshine which allows the fruit to develop intense flavor without the loss of natural acidity.  The 2007 vintage was the best in recent memory for Dry Creek Valley and this fruit was no exception.

Winemaking Notes:
Harvested early and at an almost perfect 4 tons per acre yield, this fruit was majestic when it came into the winery.  To aid in proper tannin extraction and flavor development this wine was fermented in an open top tank with manual punch downs.  Aged for 18 months to integrate the full fruit flavors with toasted oak the wine shows elegant structure and balance.

Tasting Notes:
The nose is greeted with aromas of mint and chocolate highlighted with subtle oak and leather.  The pallet opens with dark fruit and moves into a lush blueberry intensity that balances perfectly with the acidity displayed across the mid-pallet.  The finish is smooth and long with excellent tannic structure, making this wine as classic Petite Sirah. This wine truly represents the terrain and is a classic example of the wine being made in our vineyard.

Wine Enthusiast Rating:
"Shows considerable tannins and fresh acidity, with compact flavors of wild black and blue berries, licorice, currants and peppery spices, finished with a flourish of dark chocolate. A very fine wine..." - W.E. (9/1/10) 92 Points, Cellar Selection

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