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This is quite possibly the biggest “tannic monster” we have ever produced! Owing to the lighter crop set and earlier harvest the vines had no problem packing everything they could into these grapes, making the wine into a stack of complex richness. The Dr. Crane Vineyard was an early ripener in 2001 since it sits on a deep gravel alluvial fan in St. Helena, and the vines are very comfortable with stress and heat. The wine is black and inky, and exudes rich, red fruits and is laced with chocolate, coffee, and truffle flavors.

2001 will go down in California history as a classic Cab vintage in Napa along with 1997 and 1999. This is quite possibly the biggest “tannic monster” we have ever produced! Owing to the lighter crop set and earlier harvest the vines had no problem packing everything they could into these grapes, making the wine into a stack of complex richness. Deep red-violet color unfolds to black cherry, violet, cedar, tar and dark chocolate notes in the aroma. The wine flavors include palates of Bing cherry, violets and chewy tannins. The finish of the wine is sturdy and mouth filling. Due to length and richness of the flavors, we expect this complex wine to age for many years! Open a bottle, relax and enjoy life!

2003 was an interesting vintage due to the fluctuations throughout. Warm temperatures in February encouraged early budbreak, then rain in March and April slowed things down and reduced crop set in Merlot and Zinfandel. In May, the warm weather returned, and Cabernet thrived. Despite hot weather in June and July the grapes were harvested in September and October and generally had long hangtimes due to cooler weather in August. 2003 Napa Cabs tend to have ample tannins, along with elegant fruit structure that gave nearly every vineyard perfect balance. The 2003 Elodian Cabernet is filled with bright cherry, green olive, complex French oak nuances and fine Cabernet tannins, making it a delightful addition to dinner.

For 2005 we’ve put together a synergistic blend of some of the best Sauvignon Blanc growing regions in California. We sourced Sauvignon Musque, the floral clone of Sauvignon Blanc (and one of the first places it was planted in California), from the very cool Arroyo Seco area of Monterey County. The grapes from this area display characteristics of grapefruit, fresh grass, jalapeno, and gooseberry. The Lake County fruit has the juicy citrus, and tropical characters that you’ve come to expect from this popular region. Together they produce a blend that is intensely complex and medium full bodied.

Low yields and excellent weather combined to lend concentration and balance to this wine. True to the Carneros appellation, this wine displays a spicy clove core wrapped with bright pie cherry aromas, caramel and hints of anise. Balanced and silky-smooth in the mouth, this wine has ripe berry flavors with a spicy medley of delicious toasty oak and fruit characters lingering on the long finish. Ready to drink on release, this wine should improve until 2009.

Ron and Linda, old friends of Tom’s, had moved from Napa to Oregon to enjoy retirement as Pinot Noir growers. Years of backslapping and shenanigans earned Tom a small allocation of their grapes, some of the finest in Yamhill County. Located within sight of Lemelson to the north, and within 5 miles of Cuneo, Ken Wright and Penner-Ash, the Moores can’t help but be inspired by greatness (not that they needed the inspiration anyway). The only problem was transportation; that was solved by calling a college buddy to pull an “all-nighter” while stopping at Tom’s favorite trout streams along the way.

You’ll first notice while pouring a glass that this beautiful dark ruby concoction has a luscious viscosity owing to the residual sugar and alcohol, but don’t melt into a puddle just yet. Initial aromas of cedar and spice give way to cocoa and sweet caramel. If you savor your glass long enough you’ll be rewarded with hints of dry herbs, sage, thyme, raspberries, and a wildberry smootch of all fruits red and purple! The mouth is deliciously rich and balanced, with a chocolately, cherry finish. We’re partial to claiming that this wine is immortal and by drinking it you will become all-powerful, but alas, it should only age 25+ years, or so!