Color: Deeper straw, with a fine bead and robust mousse



Nose: Crisp raspberry, cherry and some nice citrus blossom at the end, and a touch of cream



Palate: Richer than the Blanc de Blancs, this is wonderful. Great fuller mouthfeel but still racy acidity balances out the crisp almost tart raspberry that is wrapped in lemon creme. Another brilliant effort by my favorite domestic bubble house!

This is the style of Chard that was missing from Chard tastings this summer. ...

This very opaque dark purple colored Syrah has an elegance not found in many wine made from this grape. ...

Compared with 1999 Santa Ema Barrel Select cab sauv.60% merlot 40%

Both of these wines are excellent, As the Santa Ema is easier drinking the Primus is more complex with a raisin,Black currant, and leather, sweetness in smell and taste but not the alcoholic burn in the nose.. surprising for 14.5% Medium tannins hit in the middle more complex with higher tartness but quite appealing, nice lightly warming finish...very tasty. Don't make me pick between them...Let me have both!

Light and refreshing for its nectarine and spice flavors, lingering gently on the open-textured finish. Drink now. 30,500 cases made.

Ripe Sweet cherries and plums with a hint of blackberry. Light on the tannens.

Nice light red.

This Chard from Byron is what I call the new style in Chard. ...

Fresh and generous, this juicy Shiraz displays pretty plum and berry fruit, finishing with a nice open texture. Drink now. 50,000 cases imported.

Paired well with roasted chicken, was very light and tangy. Had a slightly sterile taste because it was not aged in oak but steel, however this didn't take away from the taste.

14%. Metallic, strong, black cherry and plum aroma. Light-med bodied. Fruity, dry but very nice balance. Lingering finish. Very nicely balanced, very good quality for the price. I would serve this at a cocktail party.

La Crema likes to focus on terroir. ...

Ripe and generous, with a bit of a tannic grip around the plush currant and cherry flavors, lingering against hints of white pepper and black olive. Drink now through 2014.



Tasting Notes:

An elegant wine that opens with bold aromas of raspberry, mint, maple, chocolate, clove, coconut and licorice, it’s medium-bodied, dense and muscular with a bold, rich, smoky coffee-mocha finish.



Merlot Vintage:

The 2004 growing season got off to a warm start followed by a cooler period during bloom. The hot, dry summer months created uniform berry maturation with intense flavors, good sugar development and high natural acidity. Warm temperatures during the last days of summer produced excellent ripening conditions. Cooler temperatures and intermittent light rain in mid-September slowed ripening and extended hang time. 2004 followed a freeze year resulting in a lighter crop throughout the region.



Vineyards:

Diversity of vineyards and sub-appellations within the Columbia Valley are Northstar’s hallmarks. Fruit is selected from the very best possible sources throughout the Columbia Valley. The Northstar team works closely with each grower to achieve specific fruit quality and yield parameters. Vines are an average of 15 years old and yield grapes with concentrated varietal flavors of cherry and plum with elegant tannins. Fruit from over 8 separate vineyards and 10 different blocks contributed to the blend.



Winemaking:

At harvest, grapes were held separately, destemmed and crushed with 25% whole berries remaining. Grapes were fermented on the skins for five days with daily punch downs to extract flavor, colors and fine tannins. The wine was placed into 70 % French and 30% American oak barrels, where it underwent malolactic fermentation. The barrel rotation included 70% new barrels. The lots aged separately for 18 months with barrel-to-barrel racking occurring at three month intervals.



Technical data:

Alcohol 14.5%

Blend 76% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot

A deliciously forward and fruity dry white wine made from 100% indigenous Parellada grapes.



Floral citrus notes are enhanced by a hint of spice. Smooth and rich, but with good balancing acidity on the palate. A superb accompaniment to fish, light supper meals or try as an apéritif.

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Elegant, fresh, fruity aromas with fine spicy hints. Smooth, rich and crisp on the palate, with plenty of fruity flavors (apples and pineapples) and a touch of spice (fennel).

Heavy on the cola, spice and cedar notes, with ripe dark fruit flavors on a medium body. The chunky tannins are just what you'd expect from a Petite. Drink now through 2014. 24,000 cases made.

Powerful but not too hot, full of flavor and nose. Complex fruit.