Update from the Vineyards of Fort Ross

GREETINGS FROM THE SONOMA COAST: After a winter and spring filled with storms and floods, the grape vines decided to sleep in. The first shy leaves emerged at the beginning of May, three months later than usual, but the vines then began growing with such a passion that bloom has just arrived - and is only two weeks later than the usual mid May date. We are now cautiously waiting to see how many of the clusters will form into bunches of grapes. In 2005 it rained during bloom so we ultimately harvested only half a ton per acre! This year we are not dropping any clusters until we can evaluate the fruit set and then will groom each vine individually. All of our grapes are estate grown and are picked only when they are full flavored, even if this means harvesting a single block two, three or four times to allow all the grapes to reach maturity. We offer full valet service!

We routinely keep our wine in barrel through the following harvest, once bottled we wait, and wait and wait for the wine to show us when it is ready to be released. This extended cellaring allows the vineyard's characteristic minerality, acid, tannin and phenolics to come into balance producing a seamlessly integrated wine.

We have some great new reviews to share with you from: Ron Wiegand, RESTAURANT WINE, May 2006.

PINOTAGE 2002 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast 5 STARS ---EXCEPTIONAL: Exceptional Pinotage, in a Pinot Noir-like style (supple, aromatic, complex): it is full bodied, intensely flavored, and very long on the palate, with a crisp finish. It tastes of vanilla, plum, tobacco, blueberry, and black licorice. Unfined, unfiltered.

PINOT NOIR 2002 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast 4 STARS-- EXCELLENT: Uniquely styled wines from this coastal vineyard. The standard bottling is aromatic and very distinct; a full bodied, finely flavored wine, with a crisp finish. It tastes of blueberry, cherry, red currant, toast, ginger, and vanilla.

PINOT NOIR RSV 2002 Fort Ross Vineyard,Sonoma Coast 5 STARS EXCEPTIONAL:
The RESERVE is fine and complex in style; a full bodied, crisp Pinot Noir, with a long persistent finish. It tastes of cherry, blueberry, tobacco, toast, and vanilla. Not far in style from fine red burgundy. Both are unfined and unfiltered

CHARDONNAY 2002 Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast 4 STARS---EXCELLENT: Softly textured and full bodied, a wine with restrained fruitiness, modest new oak character, and medium length. An understated yet rich wine. Unfined, unfiltered. -ISSUE #107 JULY, 2005

Cheers to Linda and Lester Schwartz of Fort Ross! Ali