THE WINE
It was only fitting that I chose the vineyards from the Central Coast of California for my wines. As I toured the Paso Robles area, the topography had so many similarities to Australia, that I instantly felt a deep and lasting connection. The cool nights and warm sunny days reminded me of why the grapes from this region are so healthy and full. Of course, the beauty of the area made it even easier to decide that this was where the wines from my Signature Series would be produced.
3 Majors 2016 White Blend
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Like the 3 Major Championships, this blend of three varieties is a
winner. This white blend, consisting mainly of Viognier, is ripe
with fruit but holds enough freshness to leave the palate craving
another sip. The fruit itself was picked earlier to ensure brightness
and acidity in the wine.
The initial hints on the nose show of lush lemon meringue and
hibiscus, becoming more intense with every swirl. When the first
sip is swished about, the textural components of this wine shine,
exuding more lemon, floral, and ground coconut characteristics.
Aged and fermented in one hundred percent stainless steel; the
additional texture in this wine comes from the five months on lees.
To round out the wine and tame the full bodied nature of the
Viognier, both Albariño and Grenache Blanc were added in subtle
doses to give an extra tinge of acidy.
This is a white wine that can be enjoyed all year long, which
means the food pairings are endless. For a lighter meal, try
grilled shrimp or papaya-poached salmon. For a heartier pairing,
go with pork chops marinated in apricot sauce or coconut thai curry.
T E C H N I C A L N O T E S
ALC.......................... 13.3%
R/S......................... 6.60g/L
pH............................... 3.32
TA.......................... 7.10g/L
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V A R I E T A L M I X
Viognier....................... 97%
Albariño.........................2%
Grenache Blanc.............. 1%
3 Majors 2012 Red Blend
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Like my 3 Major Championships, this blend of four varieties is a
winner. This unique wine highlights the depth of each variety
while offering a firmer, richer red blend.
Adhering to the unique ability of the Paso Robles region to deliver
world-class red blends, we offer this Bordeaux inspired wine.
The bouquet is crowded with an array of red and dark berries
bound by smoky, spicy oak. The palate is mouthwatering; it
reflects all the characters present on the nose with the addition of
depth and complexity.
The palate can be described as ‘fleshy’ and mouth filling. The
Merlot component is the main reason for this with both Cabernet
Sauvignon and Petit Verdot in supporting roles. The real key to
the success of a blend like this lies in the blending process. We
utilize an exhaustive series of trials to ‘fine tune’ the percentages
to ensure a harmonious and rewarding taste experience.
Softer tannins see this wine as appealing across a broad spectrum
of wine drinkers from enthusiasts to novices. Enjoy with many
different types of food.cool nights amplify the flavor.
T E C H N I C A L N O T E S
ALC.......................... 12.8%
R/S......................... 4.30g/L
pH............................... 3.65
TA.......................... 5.70g/L
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V A R I E T A L M I X
Merlot..........................34%
Cabernet Sauvignon...... 26%
Petite Sirah.................. 25%
Petit Verdot..................15%
T E C H N I C A L N O T E S
ALC........................13.5%
R/S.......................5.10g/L
pH............................3.40
TA........................7.10g/L
2010 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
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The 2010 harvest was quite unusual in that it ripened very
late after a relatively cool spring and summer. Late harvest
rains further delayed the ripening but had little or no negative
impact on the grapes. It did, however, lead to an interesting
outcome. The Cabernet Sauvignon became very ‘fruit’
ripe with lower than normal sugar levels. This allows the
wine to be fully mature at slightly lower alcohols, rendering
the wines more ‘user-friendly’.
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This wine comprises seven different Cabernet blocks with
one in particular, Block 2B, of outstanding quality. This special
component was left on its skins well after the completion
of the primary ferment. A process known as extended maceration.
In fact, the ferment was not pressed until February of
2011, virtually unheard of in modern winemaking techniques.
The result is a completely different mouth - feel and texture.
The final blend has all the hallmarks of classic Cabernet. It
has ripe blackcurrant fruit and consists of ever emerging
layers of complexity. The wine’s texture is of important note,
as is the presence of balancing ne, ripe tannins. New French
oak completes the wine’s structure, offering the perfect physical
support for the lingering fruit flavors.
T E C H N I C A L N O T E S
ALC........................13.5%
R/S.......................5.20g/L
pH............................3.78
TA........................7.10g/L
2010 RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
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Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted grape varietal
in Paso Robles and with the quality of our 2010 Reserve it
comes as no surprise. Cabernet Sauvignon is the predominant
variety on our estate vineyard and the many different
planted blocks offer an array of characters. The plantings
range from gentle sloping hills to richer alluvial and sandy
soils. Each site has its own ‘terroir’ and ultimately is used to
best highlight its strengths and unique personality.
Meticulous vineyard management allows the development of
structural tannins and intense fruit avors at relatively low
alcohols. Maturation in French oak barriques has provided
framework for an already dense core of fruit and built a wine
of sophistication that will age well over the next decade.
Powerful dark fruits and extraordinary aromatics dominate
both the nose and palate of this wine.
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Our Reserve wines are only made in exceptional years, the
2010 vintage showed itself to be one of those years. This
Cabernet Sauvignon represent the true style of Paso Robles wine.
T E C H N I C A L N O T E S
ALC........................13.5%
R/S.......................4.70g/L
pH............................3.48
TA........................7.10g/L
2010 MERLOT
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We have substantial plantings of Merlot on our estate vineyard
in Paso Robles and they have been consistently delivering
exceptional fruit. Fortunately for us, the largest producing
block also provides the highest quality...a winemaker’s
dream. The fruit ripens consistently and manages to attain
fruit ripeness with very manageable sugar levels.
The resulting wine opens with ripe berry fruit with a hint of
tobacco leaf and ‘cigar-box’ notes. The palate is rich and the
nish is quite rm but balancing. There are underlying characters
of dark cherry with some green coffee bean, emulating
the great Bordeaux wines of the Right Bank. This wine will
look more intense than most Californian Merlots with the
structure of a more ‘international’ style. A fabulous food wine.
2013 Chardonay
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The fruit for this wine was picked from the most premium
spot on the vineyard, positioned on the sloping hills of the
property. This block is slightly more elevated when compared
to the other chardonnay parcels resulting in lower yields and
the development of greater intensity and purity of fruit
avors. Harvest took place at optimal ripeness in order to
ensure the retention of natural acidity and intense tropical
fruit in its youth.
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Tropical fruits are present in abundance, yet it is the citrus
fruits that dominate this wine. The balancing acidity is the
framework of this wine and is supported by elegant oak in
the background. Fermented and aged in French oak barriques,
this wine has developed characters of cream, nuts and
spice typical of wines made this way. This wine starts with
sweet fruits derived from the vineyard and nishes with
savory characters from maturation, a touch of rmness that
corresponds to the acidity.
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Layer upon layer of avor and complexity, suited to an array
of foods as a result of the balancing acidity. This is a wonderful
example of Paso Robles Chardonnay and a wine we know
will reward our efforts.
T E C H N I C A L N O T E S
ALC........................14.4%
R/S.......................1.80g/L
pH............................3.82
TA........................5.10g/L
