OUR WINES

 We are now releasing our 2005 dessert wine,  produced from Touriga Nationale, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roris  (Tempranillo), Alvarelhao, Souzao, and  Tinta  Cao. The Touriga Nacionale at 40%  is the backbone grape.  The wine was fortified with 145 proof French Columbard based brandy produced by Jepson Winery and Distillery in Hopland (Mendocino County), California. The wine was produced under our direction by Jason Ball at St. Barthelemy Cellars, Napa, California  Residual sugar is 11% and alcohol is 19.35%.  270 cases were produced, half in 750ml bottles and half in 375ml bottles. This delicious wine may be enjoyed as  an aperitif or dessert wine. It is best with  sharp or full-flavored  cheeses, nuts, coffee  and/or rich desserts.

We are fascinated by the Tannat grape, in part because it produces such wonderful concentrated, inky reds, and in part because it so relatively unknown outside of  the Madiran region of France.  Tannat is also grown in Uruguay, where it is their "flagship" red grape.  We got our Tannat from Silvaspoon Vineyards, located in Galt, California, and it has produced a wonderfully flavorsome, full-bodied wine with highlights of spice, plums, ripe berries, and smoke.   This is a big, rich wine great with game, sausages, roasted meats, and strong aged cheeses. Our 2005 Tannat was produced by Brian Graham at Silenus Winery in Napa.  Alcohol level is 14.9%.   Only one barrel (23 cases) was produced (we plan to produce much more in the future).