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Audelssa - New Releases!
October 08, 2006

For the last month, I swear, not a day goes by without someone calling or e-mailing to ask when do I expect the next Audelssa release?

So here it is! The 2004 Audelssa "Summit" - Proprietary Bordeaux blend in its mountain grown, extreme viticulture FULL GLORY!

Briefly, for those of you new to my e-mails, or this winery, the grapes grown for the Summit are from Audelssa's estate Mountain Terraces Vineyard, situated high on the rugged slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains overlooking the Sonoma Valley. You may recall about two dozen of us enjoyed an afternoon of cult-like "bonding" with owner Dan Schaefer, and winemaker Erich Bradley at the winery last June (see slide show album at the webstore's photo galley).

Everyone was awed by the steep terrain, as the vineyard's carved terraces dramatically fall away from a summit elevation of 1800 feet to 600 feet in what seems like a long stone's throw. The severe topography naturally limits fruit yields, and guarantees extraordinary concentration, depth, and complexity of flavor. Once highly prized by Dick Arrowood as the primary source of his Reserve Speciale Cabernet Sauvignon, Arrowood's former assistant winemaker Erich Bradley has learned to isolate the vineyard's diversity of site-specific characteristics by selective small-lot open top fermentations. Other minimalistic winemaking techniques, such as gentle punch-downs and the use of a small basket press protect the fruit's integrity. Extensive barrel monitoring, tasting, and a discriminating selection process of the "components" assures the vineyard's truest expression in the resulting wine.

The 2004 Audelssa Summit is composed of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Malbec. The wine spent 20 months in 40% new French oak from various coopers. This Summit might be better named "Harmonium", already taken by a Sicilian producer, as the wine's balance is near perfection and makes it extremely inviting to drink now. However, do not for a moment believe this wine's early beauty will result in its premature demise. On the contrary, as the "balance" of components (acid, alcohol, tannin, fruit) is always paramount to a wine's ability to age gracefully. The '03 Summit's fruit is best described as high-toned ripe cherries and black currants. There is a distinctive chocolate component, sometimes with a hint of caramel, persistent on the aromas, flavors and even the texture of the wine as it coats your palate. Only six hundred cases were produced.

2004 Audelssa Summit - $49.95 a bottle. $47.50 - 3 bottles, $43.95 - 6 plus bottles.

Bonus!

Last year Dan Schaefer was kind enough to release a small quanitity of Audelssa's first Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (2002) wine from his library for us. I made a big mistake and told him he had underpriced it at $45 a bottle. I made a bigger mistake and told him it was in the same league as the 02 Phelps Insignia. Sorry everyone, I was just trying to pay him a compliment! Dan is again sharing a small amount with us, but he has upped the ante for a 750 ml. of his 2003 Reserve to $89.95. I had dubbed this wine the "Tourette's Syndrome wine", because with just one sip it may cause you to blurt out uncontrollable profanities.....like "Holy Toledo!" "Gee willikers!" and "Hot dang!"....if you catch my drift. I have yet to taste it, but you should rest assured it will be fabulous! Here are the stats-

Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol: 14.5%

AVA: Sonoma Valley pH: 3.72 TA: 0.633

Production: 155 cases Barrels: 100% French (various coopers)

Release Date: September 1, 2006 Aging: 22 months in 50% new oak

Let me know if you wish to continue your collection. Limits may be imposed!

REPLY TO THIS EMAIL OR PURCHASE DIRECTLY FROM THE WEBSTORE. ALL ORDERS WILL BE VERIFIED BY E-MAIL AND CONFIRMED WITH YOUR INVOICE NUMBER.

Please note, the store will be closed October 13th and 14th - so we may attend my nephew's wedding in Santa Barbara. Yes, we intend to spend a couple of extra days tasting in the Santa Rita Hills and Santa Ynez Valley..... Store reopens on Tuesday, October 17th.

Also, circle the wagons and mark your calendar for Saturday, October 21st. as I intend again to pour the four wines from Sonoma Coast Vineyards at the Tasting Bar. > if you missed last week's e-mail on my "New Discovery Producer of the Year"! > http://www.thewineconsultant.com/newsletter/259/ These wines should not be missed! A sampler set would make a very nice gift!! Or compose a dinner party menu and pair each wine with a course as the central theme.

Question? How to enter the lottery drawing to join us for a November afternoon in Sonoma with John Drady of Sonoma Coast Vineyards?

No purchase necessary. Anyone can enter! Just e-mail us and we will add a ticket with your name on it to the hat.
For every bottle of Sonoma Coast Vineyards' wine purchased you will have an additional ticket with your name entered for the drawing.
Six winners will be drawn and each may invite one guest.
Date to be announced - most likely a Sunday (November 5, 12, or 19th).
Participants are responsible for their transportation.