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The Latest from Karl Lawrence Cellars
The Offering Letters for the 2007 release went out to those of you in the warmer areas, this past February 1. We're working to process these order this month while the shippers are not busy and the weather is nice and cool. The Offering Letter will then go out to those of you living in the cooler areas this coming March 1.
The 2007 vintage is our seventeenth release and our nineteenth year in business. Little precipitation fell during the 2007 growing season, resulting in early bud break, bloom and set. The summer temperatures ranged on the cooler side with very few hot days. This gave the grapes a longer hang time to reach full maturity. Our crop levels came in at twelve percent below average. Michael states that it is easy for him to predict that "2007 will be the vintage of this decade...outstanding in every way!"
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Our 2007 Cabernet is totally a ROCKIN' wine. Mother Nature gave us perfection in this vintage that comes to full expression in this finished wine. The vintage is loaded with color and packed with flavor, all knitted together with spot-on tannin balance. Even in analytical lab results, the numbers peg the scales.
The 2007 Cabernet has big, generous, forward fruit expressions of currants, black cherry, mocha, and licorice. Deep down there is a jammy black berry with sweet toastiness and hints of caramel. The nose is ever changing for the better and showing off its complexity layer after layer. In the mouth, the wine reveals big forward black cherry, currants, with bittersweet chocolate and cocoa. All these rich, full, silky smooth flavors are perfectly complemented by a firm but velvety tannin structure, expressing itself effortlessly and endlessly to an everlasting finish. Michael states that the wine can be approached early with proper decanting and sums up this vintage of the decade wine in one word--"Wowzza!"
Blend Percentages:
76% Gary Morisoli
9% Beckstoffer- To Kolan
8% Herb Lamb
7% Beckstoffer-Dr. Crane
2007 Aldin Red
As is customary, the 2007 Aldin Red Wine is created with the blending of Karl Lawrence's main four sourced vineyards. The Healy Vineyards Cabernet is new to the Aldin blend this year. In conjunction with the multiple Cabernets, Merlot and Cab Franc are blended in to loosen and broaden the wine. You'll find that Aldin Red is a smooth, silky wine with more spice and herbal notes coming in from the blending grapes. As a Meritage style red wine, Aldin Red tends to become approachable sooner than the Karl Lawrence Cabernet blend, however Michael cautions you not to rush into consuming Aldin Red too soon as it has shown wonderfully with additional bottle aging.
Blend Percentages:
59% cabernet Sauvignon (Gary Morisoli, Herb Lamb, Beckstoffer-To Kolan, Beckstoffer- Dr. Crane, and Healy vineyards)
28% Merlot (Boeschen and cunat vineyards)
13% Cab Franc (Beckstoffer-To Kolan vineyard)
2008 Aldin Chardonnay
Out Chardonnay this year, from the Matschullat vineyard near Soda canyon, shows more of a Burgundy style than past vintages. A mineral note accompanies the delicate and wonderful fruit aromas of pear, apple and subtl tropical fruit notes. Also, a creamy nuttiness adds complexity and layers in the aromas and flavors. The acid structure is crisper than past vintages, but balances nicely to support the delicate fruit flavors. The gravelly and mineral note reminds Michael of a young Burgundy wine which will complement many dishes. Upon release, the Chardonnay will be quite nice and a bit racy. It will respond well with a few additional months in the bottle and can lie in your cellar for a few more years.
Final Notes
We are pleased to announce the opening of our new tasting lounge in St. Helena and would be happy to have you come by for a tasting. We are open by appointment only. So please email me while planning your trip. I can meet with you on most weekdays and can arrange for someone to meet with you on some weekends.
All four of our sourced vineyards will be released as Single Vineyard Designated Reserves. We will automatically send out the Reserve Offering Letter to those who purchased the 2005 Reserves. As this is a separate mailing list, please let us know if you would also like to receive the Reserve Offering Letter.
. Friday, November 13, 2009 .
Gift packs of Karl Lawrence wines are available to ship directly to your family, friends, and business associates. The Offering Letter for this went out this week. You can order by faxing in the form or emailing me. The wine available for the gift packs is the: Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, the Beckstoffer-Dr. Crane Barrel-Select 2005, the Aldin Red 2006, and the Aldin Chardonnay 2007. You can mix or match the 750s. The 2006 mags are also available.
The open two gift pack for 750 mls.
The closed two gift pack as it appears when it slides out of the shipper. The band with the grapes will be red.
The mag gift pack.
The mag gift box as it appears when it slides out of the shipper.
Three gift pack boxes for the 750 mls are also available. Your personalized message will be written on a Karl Lawrence note and placed on the box.
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Between crush and releases, I'm behind on the times. So here's a little catch up.
My nephew (Bryan's youngest), Mathew Henry married Tessa Molinari on August 8 at Henry Brothers' Ranch. Mathew is the vineyard manager for the ranch. Tessa is the gardner for Frog's Leap.
And of course, they had great flowergirls, my youngest granddaughter, Indiana facing you, flanked by her older sister, Zoey on her right, and Loma, Mathew's brother, Ben's, girlfriend's daughter. Jasper, Mathew's brother, Mike's son, the ring bearer, is running up from behind.
And now to our Kansas City tour on September 16-21
Cheryl & I golfed with Karl Lawrence customers Bruce Johnston on our right and Mark Hungerford on our left.
That night we partied at our dream Karl Lawrence pouring organized by Jay Howard. Here Cheryl & I are pictured with our favorite blues band, Trampled Under Foot. The band is made up of the Schnebelen family. Singer and bassist Danielle is on my right, while guitarist Nick is on Cheryl's left and the drummer Kris on his left.
We topped of our stay with a rare Raider victory. A number of Karl Lawrence people showed up for the party and the game. That's Sally Jamieson, from Modesto, on Cheryl's right, while Mel Scott, from Sacramento is on my left. Bob Jamieson is in the back row in the silver and black. All the other people are work friends of Mel's from Sacramento. You can see that one of his friends is from Kansas City.
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The '05 Offering Letters for our Gary Morisoli and Herb Lamb Single Vineyard Designated Reserves are out. Please let me know if you haven't received yours.
Crush has slowly and finally come upon us. We've had such a mild summer, that we thought crush would never get here. So the pace has picked up, somewhat, but not like years in the past. Already, at some of the higher elevations, the vines are shutting down. We do expect some rain next week.
John Elway recently visited with the Karl Lawrence partners at Henry Brothers' Ranch. He knew he was in the land of the Raider Nation, so he was the perfect gentleman.
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The Offering Letters for the 2005 Vineyard Designated Reserves for the Gary Morisoli and Herb Lamb vineyards are going out as we speak. Please let me know if your's didn't come through.
We'll be on the road a lot this month.
Seotenber 12, Jefferson and Alisa will pour at Staglin's Music Festival.
September 17, I'm in Kansas City pouring at Boulevards while Trampled Under Foot plays.
October 3, Jefferson will be in Los Angeles pouring for Wolfgang Puck's American Wine and Food Festival.
October 4, someone will pour at the Jocelyn Lonen Golf & Grapes, Tee off for a cure for brain cancer at the Mayacamas Golf Course.
October 8, Jefferson will pour at the Phoenician in Phoenix.
Please let me know if you need any info regarding any of these events.
And...for those of you who missed riding on the Karl Lawrence Cycle Team for the 100 mile Tour of Napa Valley...
Here we are, chillin' in 88 degrees at mile 88.
Back row: Scott Gay, Dave Jamieson, Reg Rice, Steve Herber.
Front row: Chris Pratt, Dave Goodgame, me, Michelle Torres, Mark Jenson
Back row: Scott Gay, Dave Jamieson, Reg Rice, Steve Herber.
Front row: Chris Pratt, Dave Goodgame, me, Michelle Torres, Mark Jenson
We accomplished our goal of averaging 15.5 mph. Next year we'll be bigger, faster, stronger. You all have a year to train. (Did you notice that the Karl Lawrence cycle jerseys are Silver & Black? Raiders Pride and poise all the way.)
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009
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The Offering Letter for the Single Vineyard Designated Reserves for the Gary Morisoli and Herb Lamb Vineyards will go out the first week in September.
Michael will be pouring our Reserves and other wines at the St. Helena Wine Center, Main St., St. Helena on August 29, from 2 to 5 PM...
...while I'll be getting ready to party in Kansas City with my newest, greatest blues band, Trampled Under Foot. Hope to see you there.
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Happy July 4th
We celebrated at Pete McClory's and Holly Mason's house with most of the Soroptimist in St. Helena. Holly took this shot just before the St. Helena Fire Department showed up.
We celebrated at Pete McClory's and Holly Mason's house with most of the Soroptimist in St. Helena. Holly took this shot just before the St. Helena Fire Department showed up.
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