2001 Harvest

The Start of a New Millennium

The 2001 vintage is looking to be an exceptional vintage. The quality of the grapes and the intensity of the wines are reflecting the same superior qualities of the 1997 vintage. The year began with budbreak coming two weeks earlier than that of the 2000 vintage, which had us nervously guarding the vines from the early frosts. Early bloom followed by a fast and even veraison, had us excited to see an earlier harvest. A few heat spikes, in May and June, turned our excitement to worrying that the grapes would come in too early, and not have the needed hang time to achieve the maximum flavors in the grapes. Fortunately, August and September cooled down to perfect temperatures, along with very cool nights, putting the vines back on track. This allowed the grapevines to settle, extending the all-important "hang time" needed to achieve maximum flavors from the grapes. Our first picking was some Merlot on September 9 and the first pick, of Cabernet Sauvignon, came from Gary Morisoli's Vineyard, September 21. As we did last year, we also harvested some small amount of Cab Franc and Petite Verdot grapes. We finished picking the last grapes, from the Herb Lamb Vineyard, October 13. Our overall yields were down, but the fruit quality is fantastic. Smaller and thicker skin berries were the result of the 2001 growing season and will produce bold, rich and intense wines.

A Great Harvest

The Debut of

"Aldin"

Chardonnay

This is our very first release of a different variatle wine, Chardonnay. We have chosen to call this wine "Aldin" which is our partner, Ric's, middle name. As many of you know, "Karl Lawrence" comes from combining the middle names of the two founding partners, Michael Karl Trujillo, and Bryan Lawrence Henry. Ric Aldin Henry later joined Karl Lawrence as a partner in 1994. It was a unified and pertinent decision to name this wine with Ric's Middle name. This is a very small production and is ONLY offered to the mailing list customers. ENJOY!

Winemaker notes;

This is a fun Chardonnay! It has forward aromas of pineapple, and sweet pear, laced lightly with sweet delicate toasted oak. Generous flavors of creamy, buttery pears, figs and toasted nuts. The acidity and balance carry the fruit flavors in the wine nicely to a flavorful, lingering smooth, rich finish. This wine will improve with some bottle aging, but will show it's best within the next three years.

KARL LAWRENCE

CELLARS

1999 Cabernet Sauvignon

We are proud to announce the release of the 1999 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon. For the ninth consecutive vintage, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is the artful blending of grapes, from the Gary Morisoli Vineyard, in Rutherford, with the Herb Lamb Vineyard, just off Howell Mountain. This vintage is blended 80% Morisoli and 20 % Lamb. The unique blending of these two different vineyards is what defines the style of Karl Lawrence Cabernet.

Winemaker notes:

The 1999 Karl Lawrence Cabernet is definitely showing to be a classic wine. Very dark in color, with generous and forward aromas of black currant, black cherry plum and sweet vanilla spice. Firmly structured with plenty of rich, complex, flavors of black fruit, coffee, spice and bittersweet chocolate. This Cabernet comes on bold and determined, but constantly unfolds layer after layer of wonderful aromas and flavors, complimenting the complexity and balance of this 1999 Karl Lawrence Cabernet. Recommend aging this wine for a few years. It will only get better.

Shipping

Karl Lawrence utilizes shipping companies that specialize in shipping wine and ships to all states that have reciprocal agreements with California. A table listing estimated shipping rates, is provided on the order sheet. Please understand that the rates you are charged, by the shipping company, will vary, given your particular zip code within your state.

Wine is shipped as your order is received, pending additional allocation requests and the weather. Please understand the delicate nature of wine shipping. Last year, the West Coast experienced the coldest month of April, on record, followed by the hottest May, ever. Ironically, the bulk of our wine shipments went out in mid-June.

We advise that you have the shipping companies ship to a business address. That way, someone is always there to receive your shipment during delivery hours. Most delivery companies offer a small discount for delivery to a business address. Surcharges, by shipping companies, for incorrect address, or failure to deliver, will be passed on.

Will-call pickup is possible. You can indicate your desire for a will-call pickup in the special instructions section of the order form. We ask that you make arrangements, if at all possible, for a weekday business hour pickup, by the end of June.

Please contact Ric at 707/965-2597, or at HowellMt@Napanet.net, to address any of your shipping concerns.

Thank You

From all of us at

Karl Lawrence Cellars

September 11

We're saddened by the loss of a Karl Lawrence customer and friend who was aboard one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center. In a desire to help out in the worldwide effort to assist victims of this attack, Karl Lawrence donated to the Grapes of Grief benefit wine auction that took place On December 8. Proceeds raised, benefit The New York Police & Fire Widows & Children's Benefit Fund.

In addition, the partners of Karl Lawrence have made private donations to the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund. This fund directly benefits the families of staff who worked at the Windows of the World Restaurant. We are proud to have had Karl Lawrence served at this world renowned restaurant. Michael and Elizabeth poured Karl Lawrence wine there, each March, for the last couple of years; an event, made more enjoyable, because of the fine staff. You can also make a donation to this fund at the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund, c/o David Berdon & Co., LLP, 360 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10017, 212/832-0400.

Henry Brothers' Ranch

Bryan reports that the development of the Henry Brothers' Ranch is progressing at a good pace. He's moving ahead with the permit process to plant vines on twenty of the forty acres. Weiland and Lois Henry, Bryan's and Ric's parents, have owned the ranch since 1975. It is situated on top of Howell Mountain, between the Dunn and Duckhorn vineyards, and across the street from Beringer's Tre Coligne vineyard.

Karl Lawrence Cabernets

Aging

A common question is the age ability of Karl Lawrence Cabernets. Karl Lawrence Cabernets are not made in the huge, tannic, heavily extracted style. Our style strives more for balance and finesse from each vintage. Michael believes that when this balance and finesse is done correctly, the wine can age gracefully for many years. It is easy to say that all the Karl Lawrence Cabernets will age further depending on the particular vintage.

Decant or Not Decant

Many have asked us on our recommendation on decanting Karl Lawrence cabernets. We DO encourage decanting of all the Karl Lawrence Cabernets before serving. The decanting is done more for the aerating of the wine, rather than separating any sediment. With our younger Cabernets, we recommend to decant vigorously and introduce a fair amount of aeration. With the older wines (1991-1993), a gently decant is recommended. For best results, allow the wine to breathe, in the decanter, for one to two hours.

Allocations

Karl Lawrence utilizes an allocation process to distribute our wine to our customer. We do this in an effort to be as fair as possible to our long-term, as well as our new customers. By keeping the allocation volume, to a reasonable amount, allows new customers to transfer from the waiting list.

We don't pay for advertising, but have been fortunate enough to receive some favorable reports and good word-of-mouth. This has created a high demand for Karl Lawrence. Rather than drastically increasing the price, and letting the market decide who would get Karl Lawrence, we decided to distribute with an allocation system. Our goal has always been, to provide the best premium wine that we can, at the fairest price.

Karl Lawrence Cabernets

Are served in the top restaurants

Of California and New York

Look for Karl Lawrence Cabernet on
the
Wine list, next time you're dining.