2012 Vineyard Seven and Eight Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes
The 2012 "Estate" Chardonnay reminds us how fortunate we are to craft wine from vineyards planted on our estate over thirty years ago. The vintage, already being hailed as one of Napa Valley's finest, brings forth a wine with a harmonious balance between density and brightness; satisfying with depth and power. Fresh, focused, structured: this wine is already showing beautifully and can be enjoyed now, as well as successfully cellared for many years to come.

The beautiful 2012 Chardonnay Estate exhibits a light straw color with green tints. Honeysuckle, white peach, tangerine oil and lemon blossom characteristics are present in the complex set of aromatics. The wine is medium to full-bodied, layered, rich and impressive. Enjoy it over the next 5-6 years.

2013 Vineyard Seven and Eight Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes
The 2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon marks the 7th vintage crafting this single vineyard proprietary wine from the Steffens' family property on Spring Mountain. This wine shows a deep, dark opague core, with a classic Bordeaux-like ruby rim. On the nose, the wine expresses dark cocoa, anise, fresh tobacco and black pepper. Bright acidity leads the palate to a well integrated, seamless texure, marked by savory influences of game, smoked meat, with subtle fruit and mineral undertones. A blend completed my Winemaker Martha McClellan and Wesley Steffens, this wine shows incredibly well with a quick decant, and will reward patience with time in the cellar.

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a big boy (15.1% alcohol) and there are 725 cases. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and shows the high-elevation, chocolaty, ripe blackcurrant fruit that one expects in mountain Cabernet, with good acidity, ripe tannin and a long, heady, rich finish. It is full-bodied and should drink nicely for at least two decades.