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2007 GROWING SEASON
Hurry up and wait was the theme for the
2007 season, frequently
referred to as the “tale of two harvests”. We experienced
a very early bud break, following a rather mild and
dry winter. Not horribly alarming but when water levels
are low it is never good news in California. The vines
responded to the lack of rain by producing small, loose
clusters resulting in lower yields. Summer proceeded with
cooler than normal temperatures, great for slow ripening,
but the lingering question is always “Will there be enough
heat?” August finally kicked in with the higher digits and
we waited with great anticipation. Salzgeber-Chan came
in on September 5th, quickly followed by Montgomery
and two separate blocks of Corby, and then nothing.
Nearly three weeks passed as temperatures dropped, the
fog lasted long into the day and we waited and talked to
each other about the lack of activity. Just as the worry
started to sit heavily in everyone’s minds, the fog lifted
and we were back in business with Peters arriving on
September 28th. The final lot, Lingenfelder, was picked on
October 8th and another harvest was safely in! We were
curious to see whether the first half of the harvest would
show differently from the second but we have not detected
any significant quality difference between them, and
feel we have a very fine vintage once again!
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| Our wines are the products of two years
of careful and painstaking work in the vineyard and the winery. We
take great pride in presenting them to you. |
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| Winemaker's Tasting Notes - 2007 Vintage |
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Corby Vineyard, Anderson Valley, Mendocino County
Fans of the wines we produced from the Demuth Vineyard are
going to love this one! Bright cherry red color with a touch of purple
in the rim. Fragrant, complex aromas with the initial impression
of strawberry, blueberry and ripe cherries melding into the
sweet spice of sandalwood, dried herbs and toast. Smooth, nicely
rounded flavors of black currant, raspberry, cranberry and vanilla with
a hint of fresh cut wood. A delicate, medium bodied wine
with a long alluring finish and good acid snap. Total cases: 180 |
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Lingenfelder Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Brilliant ripe strawberry color. A gorgeous bouquet greets
the senses with dark cherry, blackberry and plum mingling
with almond, cedar and cola with a spicy floral element
dancing around. Expansive, round entry of red and
dark fruits, nutmeg, black tea and cherry tobacco.
Smooth, integrated bright flavors and balanced mouth
feel. Long, lively, finish with a good acid backbone. We
dubbed it “Lingering Lingenfelder”. Total Cases: 125 |
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Peters Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
Deep garnet color, lush and rich. Very pretty nose of
plum, chocolate covered cherries, sweet smoky vanilla,
ripe berries and brown spices. Rich fruit flavors of blueberry,
dark plum and ripe strawberries with added notes
of anise, sweet leather and toast. Very smooth and round
mouth feel, full bodied, expansive and complex with a
medium finish and acidity. Total Cases: 190 |
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| Winemaker's Tasting Notes - 2006
Vintage |
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Anderson Valley Reserve, Mendocino County
Rich, dark garnet color. Bold, clean aromas of plum, dark cherry,
raspberry and ripe strawberry followed by notes of sassafras/
cola, fresh cedar, dried herbs and white pepper.Velvety
mouth feel, round, full flavors of red and dark fruits,
brown
spice and toast with a touch of vanilla and sweet leather. Long,
lively finish, with well integrated tannins and acidity.
Total cases: 200 |
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Montgomery Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Gorgeous clear ruby in color. Aromas of bright red fruits,
strawberry and cherry with a hint of pomegranate and cassis.
A floral bouquet mixed with sweet spices; cardamom,
vanilla, and sandalwood incense add to the initial fruit
impression. Lively mouth feel displays complex flavors of
dark plum, mixed berries, black tea, and almond. A spicy
note of tea rose and fresh wood with a touch of
earth/tobacco follow. Long, complex finish with moderate
tannins, good grip and balanced acidity. Total cases: 110 |
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Salzgeber-Chan Vineyard, Russian
River Valley, Sonoma County
Color is reminiscent of a ripe red cherry. Lush, complex aromas
greet the senses, blackberry, ripe strawberry, sweet tea,
and orange peel, blending with a smoky/earthy characteristic
with added clove and toast. Smooth, fruit driven entry on the
palate with an expansive middle offering cherry candy, raspberry,
ginger and anise. Medium bodied with a bright acidity,
and long spicy finish with a hint of floral. Total
cases: 200 |
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Peters Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Color is reminiscent of a rich red rose. Expansive
aromas of strawberry, bing cherries, licorice, almond
and sandalwood with notes of sassafras and fresh cedar.
Hints of flowers and dried grasses add to the beautiful
bouquet. Mouth feel is velvety and smooth with a bright
acidity. Complex red and dark fruits, cola, incense and
black tea flavors dance together right though to the
long, luscious finish with a surprising brown spice kick
at the end. Total Cases: 200 |
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Lingenfelder Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Bright garnet in color. Very pretty aromas of mixed
berries, cherrywood, dark plum, butterscotch and
cigar box leather mingle with a sweet herb/fennel
note. Rich mouth feel with a good acid backbone.
Sweet impression of raspberry, ripe plum, strawberry,
cherry cola, with restrained oak and toast and added
touch of violets expands across the palate. Long,
complex and seamless finish. Total Cases: 120 |
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Bush Vineyard, Russian River Valley,
Sonoma County
Brilliant dark ruby color. Bright, fresh aromas of strawberry,
cherry, and blackberry mingle with a hint of toast
and mineral/fresh cut pencil. Added notes of root-beer
and nutmeg spice with a subtle whiff of orange peel and
dried herbs. Texture is lush with a good acid balance.
Aromas follow through to additional flavors of
pomegranate, caramel and sweet tobacco. Long lasting,
complex and rich finish. Total Cases: 190 |
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| Winemaker's Tasting Notes - 2005
Vintage |
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Anderson Valley Reserve, Mendocino County
Color is a rich, dark garnet with a purple edge. A luscious
bouquet greets the senses with ripe cherry, plum,
and blueberry with added notes of mushroom and
leather/spice. Aromas follow through melding with red
and dark fruits, cardamom, anise, and sassafras. The
complex and long lasting finish just keeps dancing on
the palate. Our ‘05 AVR is showing well at this young
stage and will continue to improve over the
next 10 years. Total cases: 170 |
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Lingenfelder Vineyard, Russian River Valley,
Sonoma County
Bright cherry red color. Open, complex nose displays aromas
of strawberry, plum, cranberry, and cherry cola with
a hint of violets and dried grass.The floral notes become
a spicy sandalwood on the palate followed by pure
flavors of ripe cherry, black plum, brown spices and
toasted almond.With smooth tannins, balanced acidity
and a long, seamless finish, this wine is ready to drink
now and will continue to develop over the
next 7-10 years. Total cases: 150 |
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Montgomery Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Brilliant cherry red in color. Big beautiful nose of
red
and dark fruits, sandalwood and dried herbs with a
hint of tea rose floral. Flavors of ripe cherry,
raspberry, and blueberry with notes of almond and
sassafras spice. Depth of flavors balance well with
tannins and acidity offering a smooth and
seamless finish. Total cases: 135 |
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Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
While this wine is 100% Salzgeber-Chan Vineyard, we have
released the 2005 vintage as an appellation wine. It displays
good balance, structure and varietal character, yet
does not
fully express the distinctive qualities of this vineyard site.
Beautiful ruby color. Racy, youthful aromas of candy apple,
marionberry, toasty oak and spice. Crisp flavors of cherry
and cranberry with cedar, almond and sandalwood
in the middle.Cassis and sassafras spring up in the long
finish.With balanced tannins and a good acid backbone, this
wine should continue to develop over the next 5-7 years.
Total cases: 170 |
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Bush Vineyard, Russian River Valley,
Sonoma County
Color shows a rich, dark ruby. Forward aromas of plum,
black cherry, and ripe strawberries meld with brown
spices and a touch of forest floor.Aromas follow through
into the lush fruit flavors with added qualities of clove,
cherry cola, toasty oak, and fennel. Dense and rich with
smooth supple tannins, balanced acidity and a long
finish. Total cases: 158 |
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Cuvée 115 - North Coast Blend
Deep garnet color with a purple edge.The nose is greeted by complex
aromas of ripe, dark fruits, violets, cinnamon spice, and
toast. Juicy red and black fruit flavors of cherry, blackberry,
plum, and strawberry give way to a seductive, rich mouth
feel and long lasting finish. Total cases: 120 |
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| Winemaker's Tasting Notes - 2004
Vintage |
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Demuth Vineyard, Anderson Valley, Mendocino County
Clear ruby color reminiscent of red currants.The nose offers
a broad range of aromas: ripe strawberry, raspberry and
black cherry, with added complexity of cola, nutmeg, coffee
and forest floor. Round and full-bodied with bright acidity
and smooth tannins.Aromas carry through into the flavors
with a supple oak character holding the wine yet not intrusive.
Smooth and silky with a seamless finish. |
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Montgomery Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Deep garnet color.Very complex fruit-driven aromas of strawberry,
plum and black cherry framed by notes of brown spice,
minerals and smoked meat with a hint of sandalwood.
Expansive, juicy red and black fruit flavors meld with a
toasty oak impression. Mouth feel is full and rich with
resolved tannins, balanced acidity and a long, smooth finish. |
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Anderson Valley Reserve, Anderson
Valley, Mendocino County
(formerly Floodgate Vineyard)
Brilliant garnet color. Clean aromatics of plum, cherry, blackberry
and ripe strawberries meld with herbal qualities of licorice root,
ginger and toasted almond. A hint of mushroom, earth, smoked meat
and dried fig add to the complex bouquet. Rich aromatics carry through
into the flavors with added cassis, leather, cardamom and a touch
of dried herb.With well integrated wood, round tannins, and a long
smooth finish, our
“Reserve” is a beautiful expression of Anderson Valley
Pint Noir. Total cases: 150 |
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Salzgeber-Chan Vineyard, Russian River
Valley, Sonoma County
Garnet in color with a slight purple edge. A complex wine with aromas
of dark cherry, black plum, sweet berries, nutmeg, white pepper,
dried orange peel and toasted almonds, rounded out by a touch of
pinot noir earthiness. Deep aromas follow through into the flavors
of ripe red and black fruits, vanilla, leather, cherry cola, black
tea, cinnamon, and sweet oak. Full bodied with resolved tannins,
firm acidity and a long smooth finish. Total cases: 150 |
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Bush Vineyard, Russian River Valley,
Sonoma County
Brilliant dark ruby color.Big bold fruits greet the senses; black
cherries, plums, and blackberries blend with toasty oak, and Asian
spices reminding us of tea smoked duck. Fully extracted fruit flavors
create our biggest wine, offering a medley of black and red fruits,
clove, vanilla, and black pepper with a distinctive fresh mint quality
.Tannins and acidity are balanced with a long, rich finish. Total
cases: 200 |
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| Winemaker's Tasting Notes - 2003
Vintage |
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Floodgate Vineyard, Anderson Valley,
Mendocino County
Brilliant garnet color. Clean aromatics of plum, cherry, blackberry
and ripe strawberries meld with herbal qualities of licorice root,
sweet tea, ginger and toasted almond. A hint of mushroom, earth,
smoked meat and dried fig add to the complex bouquet. Rich aromatics
carry through into the flavors with added cassis, leather, cardamom
and a touch of dried herb. With well integrated wood, round tannins,
and a long smooth finish, Floodgate is a beautiful expression of
Anderson Valley. Total cases: 150 |
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Salzgeber-Chan Vineyard, Russian River
Valley, Sonoma County
Rich, dark ruby color. Big, beautiful, round nose filled with dark
and red fruits, cola, spicy rose petals and toasty notes. Lush, fruity
entry with black cherry, dark plum, mixed berries and brown spices.
A classic Russian River Pinot Noir of hedonistic pleasure. Complex
flavors carry through the long seamless finish. Total cases: 200 |
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Demuth Vineyard (Anderson Valley,
Mendocino County)
Bright ruby color. The nose displays rich aromatics of black cherry,
cola, sandalwood, and green herbs with a touch of earth and toast.
Medium body with lush flavors of dark plum, ripe cherry, pomegranate,
cinnamon, clove and a hint of floral. Ripe tannins produce a silky
mouth feel with a long finish. A firm core and good acid balance
makes this an easy wine to pair with food. Total cases: 170 cases. |
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Bush Vineyard, Russian River Valley,
Sonoma County
Color - imaging the darkest of all garnets. Nose is filled with bright
red fruits, cherry, raspberry, and strawberry lead into herbal aromas
of anise, celery and mint. Lush flavors of mixed berries, green herbs,
cherry tobacco, and clove blend together with smooth tannins and
wood spice.Rich, fruity flavors persist long into the finish. Total
cases: 185 |
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| Winemaker's Tasting Notes - 2002
Vintage |
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Montgomery Vineyard (Russian River Valley,
Sonoma County)
A beautiful cherry red color. Aromas of cranberry, strawberry, cherry
with violets and dried brush. Flavors of strawberry, black cherry,
cassis, vanilla and earth. Smooth tannins, balanced acidity with a
long, crisp finish. Total production: 150 cases |
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Salzgeber-Chan Vineyard (Russian River Valley, Sonoma County)
Bright ruby color. Complex nose of rich black cherry, ripe
strawberry, toast and brown spices blend with a touch of leather,
mushroom and herbal notes. Round, velvety mouthfeel with flavors of
plum, black fruits, clove/nutmeg with a long clean finish. Total production:
120 cases |
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Floodgate Vineyard (Anderson Valley,
Mendocino County)
Rich garnet red in color. Beautiful nose of dark cherry, raspberry,
sweet vanilla, toasted almond and brown spice with a touch of mushroom
and earth. Flavors of sweet red fruits, blackberry, plum, smokey leather
and mushroom. Velvety mouth feel with balanced acidity lasts long
into the finish. Total production: 175 cases |
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Demuth Vineyard (Anderson Valley, Mendocino
County)
Deep ruby in color. Aromas of ripe raspberries, black cherry, minerals,
vanilla and toast. Herbal with a touch of anise, mushroom and beetroot.
Complex flavors of blackberry, cherry, allspice, sarsparilla, with
notes of smoked meat, fresh cut wood and mushroom. Long spicy, firm
finish. Total cases: 200 |
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Bush Vineyard (Russian River Valley,
Sonoma County)
Bright red pomegranate color. Displays aromas of vanilla-blackberry
ice cream, strawberry and raspberry with a minty herbal edge. Rich
flavors of red fruits, cherry cola, carmel apple and toast notes.
Long fruity, crisp finish. Total cases: 165 |
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Skewis Wines
Fax/Phone: 707.431.2160
PinotNoir@skewiswines.com
PO Box 1895
Healdsburg, CA, 95448.
We love hearing from you with questions, comments and wine experiences.
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