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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’.

​

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.

​

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

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