Post Turkey Day, back at the Winery.

[pb_vidembed title=”Tasting the Wines” caption=”Everything’s down to barrel” url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyItJhbh810″ type=”yt” w=”480″ h=”385″]

 

Just got back from Oregon, as you can see in this video I actually got a haircut, but the next post will be an even greater transformation.  Happy Movember everyone, my Civil Ware re-enactment mustache is still to come.

Pre-Thanksgiving Tasting

[pb_vidembed title=”Harvest is coming to an end!!!” caption=”Beardtastic” url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO7MWrNhB7k” type=”yt” w=”480″ h=”385″]

 

Hey guys, here’s a quick video I posted before I headed up to Thanksgiving.. Enjoy and remember to send your comments through or any emails to Tim@LeafandVine.com

Watch the Video, it’s good for you..

[pb_vidembed title=”Thanksgiving Newsletter” caption=”We’ve only just begun” url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgaOsWTQZFo” type=”yt” w=”480″ h=”385″ autoplay=”true”]

Leaf and Vine 2010 Lodi Petite Sirah

“Vista Luna” Vineyard, Borden Ranch AVA, California

Fermented natively and using a slight amount of Zinfandel from my previous fermentation (2010 Amador “Quartz Block” Zinfandel).  These grapes spent 23 days on the skins before being pressed, during aging I used white wine lees as an added “agent” of awesomeness (this requires more description and I don’t have the space J).  Loads of blue fruit aromas, with vanilla, and black pepper accents.  The mouth feel is lush but not over the top like many petite sirahs.. Petite Sirah made with finesse is not something that is easy to do but I really think we nailed it with the 2010 Vista Luna. Buy This Wine

                                               

 

 

                                                 

                                                  Leaf and Vine 2010 Sauvignon Blanc

“Grand View” Vineyard, Sonoma County, California

This wine has developed a layered mouth feel with sweet, soft tannins without any residual sugar. The acidity is still crisp – letting you know that it’s Sauvignon Blanc – but its complex nature really separates it from a Sauvignon Blanc market that has become generic. (This is starting to change; there are some really interesting winemaking techniques being used in recent years.) On the nose the wine is laced with stone fruits and citrus notes; a hint of lemon grass and vanilla really give this wine a spice character that balances that Russian River fruit. Buy this Wine!

 

 

 

 

Leaf and Vine 2010 Amador County Zinfandel

“Quartz Block” Appellation, Amador County, California

Using a diverse mixture of French Oak barrels we’ve produced a wine that rivals anything you will find from Dry Creek, Napa Valley or other similar appellations. it’s aromatically complex with smells as diverse as Black Pepper, Molasses, Rhubarb, Mint, Blackberries, Anise and Vanilla; let it sit in the glass and all the beauty of briar patch fruit and the Amador terroir come through. The mouth feel has length and structure that rivals many Napa Valley Cabernets, but with the same bright up front vibrancy you hope for in a great Zin. Buy this Wine!

Two fer Friday, talking under cap pumpovers..

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Well, a quick update, the Snows Lake Cabernet Sauvignon is dry and going through extended maceration, we’re just tasting it every day and waiting for all those delicious tannins to mature in the tank.

While you were sleeping… We were picking.

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The Harvesting of the Snows Lake Cabernet went great, beautiful fruit, no Botrytis or rot in any way in this high Botrytis year.. We’ve got it into tank and now will let it sleep for a few days in the freezing cold before we kick on the ferment… Now back out to Lodi to work on a few things and possible trying to find a new vineyard to add to the portfolio late in the year.

Cabernet Sauvignon – Rain can’t get you down.

[pb_vidembed title=”Snow’s Lake Cabernet Sauvignon” caption=”We’re about a week out on harvesting this beautiful vineyard.” url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL9Q0NiKQC0″ type=”yt” w=”480″ h=”385″]

 

Last year we harvested out Cab on the 28th of October, this year we’re looking at a similar date and thankfully the weather is starting to really cooperate (fingers crossed)…. I’d like for this vineyard to hang for one more week to resolve some tannins but truthfully it could be ready by Friday, stay tuned.

The Eve of the Eve of Vista Luna and Hunter’s Oak

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Well, we got the fruit off the vine, it spent the night in Lodi chilling at about 34 degrees and is on its way out to Santa Rosa where we’ll process it and let it chill for a few more days.  Overall the flavors were great, the fruit not quite as pretty as I had hoped but thankfully we don’t have to win any beauty contests with the fruit, we can get that award once we turn it into wine.

5 Questions.. First Edition

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Well, just after pressing the Quartz Block Zin we decided to randomly do our first episode of 5 Questions.. Hopefully this will be the first of many.. Wow, my beard is getting a bit burly.. and I still have Cabernet Sauvignon on the vine and a week out.. Yikes!!