~ Library Selection ~

Harvest Date: 8/29/01 – 9/29/01

Maceration: CS - 25 days, 40 days; M - 19 days

Bottling Date: August 14, 2003

Barrel Age: 24 months in French Oak, 65% new

Cooperage: CS: Saint Martin, Demptos, Saury, Radoux
M: Saint Martin, Radoux

Alcohol: 14.1%

Retail price $75

Release Date: March 2005

Cases produced: 645

2001 was a good year for the Aida Vineyard. The long hot summer produced wines of incredible density and ripe, lush tannins. The blend comprises 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 26% Merlot. Rocky soils in the vineyard absorbed sunlight and intensified the heat during the growing season, allowing the vines to produce fruit with optimum ripeness and firm tannins, while retaining an exotic nose of dried fruits and violets. This is the first blend vinified by winemaker Philippe Melka and was specifically selected to best represent the unique site and soils that make up the Aida Vineyard.

Reviews:

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:

"Good ruby-red. Exotic floral notes and wild spices lift the aromas of currant, raspberry, minerals and loam. Lush, dense and minerally, with complex flavors of redcurrant, hot stones, tobacco, chocolate and roast coffee. Like the 2000, this communicates a distinctly warm-site character. Finishes with ripe, dense, substantial tannins."

Robert Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate "The 2001 Red Wine (74% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Merlot) exhibits a densely saturated purple color in addition to aromas of earth, licorice, and tobacco smoke…it is a powerful, concentrated red… It should drink well for a decade.”

- Current Release -

Harvest Date: August 31, 2001

Maceration: 19 days

Bottling Date: August 12, 2003

Barrel Age: 24 months in American Oak, 63% new.

Cooperage: Saury, Demptos

Alcohol: 15.5%

Retail price $60

Release Date: March 2005

Cases produced: 646

The Zinfandel vines at the Aida property were planted 30 years ago and are now producing some of their finest wines. 2001 was a long hot summer, which intensified the spice and aromatic character of the wine. Like the 2000 vintage, the 2001 was aged for 24 months in oak, the same extensive program we use in our Cabernet based wines. The result is a Zinfandel that is characterized by fine, spicy tannins with smoky notes complementing the black fruit flavors and high floral and coconut tones. This is a full bodied, weighty, rich wine, which we believe will cellar well, continuing to express its site specific personality for years to come.

Reviews:

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:

"Good full ruby-red. Superripe, slightly porty aromas of black raspberry, cherry, licorice and spices. Rich in the mouth but decidedly dry. Plenty of material here…Finishes with big, tongue-dusting tannins and very good structure and peppery grip. Very youthful, interesting zinfandel that may well merit an outstanding rating."

Robert Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate:

"The 2001 Zinfandel ratchets up the concentration level and purity of the fruit, with less intrusive oak…"