Our Wines

2010 Carneros "Sangiacomo Vineyard"

Tangerine, key lime, meyer lemon, Asian pear, orange blossom, and honey--with a whiff of lilac and jasmine--provide the exotic backdrop to our Pinot Gris. The palate is bright, with forward notes of citrus and a mid-palate of tropical fruit, apple, pear, and citrus flavors. A rich mouth feel develops and mingle with tropical fruit and holiday spices for a long finish. Pair this with grilled meats, seafood, pastas with olive oil or cream sauces, Asian cuisine...the combination of its rich mid-palate, smooth tannins, and acidic structure make this wine unusually versatile at the table.

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2010 Carneros Chardonnay

Announced by bold, powerful aromatics, with rich fruits, melon and fig accented with Granny Smith apples and Asian pear. Chalky, wet stone and graphite add nuance, topped with decadent creme brulee and brioche. Intense palate weight and luscious fruit tannins are countered by a full, zesty acidity that lifts and carries the fruit towards the finish, layering atop the mouth-filling minerality that carries throughout the entire finish. Citrus flavors are intermixed with peaches and cream and citron notes and just a hint of pineapple. Cardamom, and toasty biscotti notes, liven the palate, leading into the finish which is long, layered, and complex. The tannins, minerality, and acidity that are the calling card of well-raised, true Old Wente Chardonnay are in full display.

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2010 Napa Valley "Mink Vineyard"

This is a Pinot Noir that emphasizes elegance and grace, without sacrificing weight and profundity. A nose of blueberry, cherries, and huckleberry pie, floats atop dried currant notes, mushrooms, and wet stone. The palate reveals more stoniness rounded with plum and pluot, chocolate and currant, spiced with notes of pipe tobaccos. As always, the finish is dominated with the fine, chalky and mineral tannins coating the entire palate and lingering long into the finish. A singular California Pinot Noir. Drinks well now and is a Chef’s boon companion. Will mature with grace for 8-12 years.

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2010 Russian River "Jouissance"

About the Vineyard...Gilbert Perez’s two acre vineyard in the southwestern corner of the appellation, only nominally protected by the coastal hills and open to the maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean, is the single source for these grapes. The soils here are loose, sandy, and well-drained,...

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2009 Carneros

A brooding, well-structured, rich, and textural Pinot Noir. The nose is pronounced and spicy, opening with dried cranberry and rose petal, well-spiced with clove, cardamom, and cinnamon, over top aromas of plum and strawberry and sandalwood. The palate is dominated by an almost visceral layer of mouth-coating tannins and mid-palate flavors of cherry, plum, strawberry, bramble berries, and balanced with a bright, palate-lifting acidity. The palate moves seamlessly towards a darker finish, with the fruit flavors developing into a dried fruit complexity coupled with tobacco and dark chocolate and a zesty minerality.

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2009 Carneros "Sangiacomo Vineyard"

Tangerine, key lime, honeysuckle, Asian pear, orange blossom, and honey--with a whiff of marzipan and jasmine-- provide the exotic backdrop to our Pinot Gris. The palate expands and softens into round melon flavors mixed with apricot, meyer lemon and ripe tangerine. This vintage the palate produces a pleasant and pronounced lime zest flavor. Mineral and spice notes mingle with tropical fruit for a long finish. Pair this with grilled meats, seafood, pastas with olive oil or cream sauces, Asian cuisine...the combination of its rich mid-palate, smooth tannins, and acidic structure make this wine unusually versatile at the table.

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2009 Carneros "Toyon Farm"

A brooding, well-structured, rich, and textural Pinot Noir. The nose is pronounced and spicy, opening with dried cranberry and floral notes, well-spiced with clove, cardamom, and cinnamon, over top aromas of plum and strawberry and cocao. The palate is dominated by an almost visceral layer of mouth-coating tannins and mid-palate flavors of cherry, plum, strawberry, bramble berries, and balanced with a bright, palate-lifting acidity.

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2009 Carneros Chardonnay

Powerful, focused fruit announces the wine immediately.  Nectarine, yellow peach, key lime, citric zest, lemon cream, and Asian pear overlay complex notes of fig, brioche, ripe melons, and cardamom.  Intense palate weight and luscious fruit tannins are countered by a full, zesty acidity that lifts and carries the fruit towards the finish, layering atop the mouth-filling minerality that carries throughout the entire finish.   The tannins, minerality, and acidity that are the calling card of well-raised, true Old Wente Chardonnay are in full display.  This is a wine to enjoy now, in its youth, however, its truest personality and complete depth will continue to unfold for several years to come.

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2009 Napa Valley "Mink Vineyard"

Take the intense profundity of the 2007 Mink and combine it with the sheer elegance of the 2008 vintage from this vineyard, and you begin to understand the pleasing balance of the 2009. A powerful and generous nose opens with aromatics of blueberry, rich earth, and cassis interwoven with lilac and lavender, with notes of wild mushroom and cocoa. The palate is all dark fruits, brambly berries and black raspberry, spiced again with cocoa and cardamon. As usual, the acidity is bright and crisp, and the chalky fine tannins linger long and coat the palate with a distinctive minerality. With age, this wine will develop a broad, deep, and rich palate, balanced with bright and youthful fruit notes.

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