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2008 RELEASES
2006
Old Hill Ranch Zinfandel
 Established in 1852 near the
town of Glen Ellen in Sonoma Valley, our families' Old Hill
Ranch is one of California’s oldest vineyards. This wine
is produced from a certified organic, dry-farmed field-blend
planted on Old Hill in the 1880’s. The vineyard is a
mosaic of over two dozen grape varieties — principally
Zinfandel, but also Grenache, Alicante Bouchet, Petite Sirah,
Mourvedre, Syrah, Carignane, and Tempranillo, to name a few.
All are blended together in this wine.
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The color of our signature Old Hill Zin is dark purple and the aromas are wonderfully complex. Old Hill Zin is known for its herbal complexity and the 2006 is no exception. This spice character tends towards lavender, eucalyptus and cardamom while the fruit component has an impressive array of cherries, blackberries, and ripe plums. The French oak contributes toast and vanilla aromas while the tannins are very ripe and smooth on the finish. Follow the evolution of this wine in your glass as it opens up or decant if you are in a hurry. The wine will reach its peak maturity in 7-10 years.
870 cases produced |
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2006
Old Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
 The six-acre block of Cabernet Sauvignon,
a relative newcomer to Old Hill, was planted in 1983. Considered
to be with in the “banana belt” of Sonoma Valley,
this warm hillside vineyard produces very ripe fruit.
2005 was our first vintage of Cab off of Old Hill and it was a huge success but the 2006 promises to be even better. The aromas tend towards cedar, licorice, and anise with a fruit component of cherry, blackberry and currants. The mouth-feel is lean, but it finishes with smooth tannins and lingering cherry flavors. The word on the street is that this wine is reminiscent of the old 1980's style of Sonoma Cabs and we think that is a huge compliment!
459 cases produced |
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2006 Compagni Portis Vineyard
Gewürztraminer
Established in 1952 near the town
of Sonoma, Compagni Portis Vineyard has all the elements that
we believe create distinctive wines. The old vines are dry-farmed
and the vineyard is a field blend that includes a handful
of Trousseau Gris (Grey Reisling) vines.
The wine is aged in neutral French
barrels where it was left on the lees (stirred) for eight
months before bottling. Although distinctly characteristic
of Gewürztraminer the Compagni Portis is more subtle
and austere than one might expect from this grape. Aromas
of tropical fruits, rose blossoms, and apricot fruit dominate
with a subtle background of spicy gewurztraminer aromas. The
palate has plenty of tropical fruit flavors with a lingering
spicy finish. The acidity is firm but not overpowering and
their is the slightest hint of sweetness on the finish. Perfect
hot weather wine — serve well chilled.
598 cases produced |
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2006
Bald Mountain Ranch Syrah
 Bald Mountain Vineyard
sits atop the Mayacama Mountain range between Mt. Hood and
Mt. Veeder. This dry-farmed, terraced vineyard ranges in elevation
between 1900 and 2100 feet, and lies within the three separate
appellations: Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley and Mt. Veeder. Both
night and day, temperatures tend to be lower than in the valley
with the caveat that when the valley is fogged in, the vineyard
is likely clear and sunny.
Our 2006 Bald Mountain Syrah has a deep purple color. Blueberry and blackberry aromas dominate while toasty oak and bacon simmer in the background. The fruit flavors tend towards plums and cherries while the oak contributes vanilla spice. There are slightly bitter tannins on the finish which leave the impression of dark chocolate.
145 cases produced |
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2006 BAMBINO Old Hill Ranch Zinfandel
(the wine formally known as Mixed Blacks)
 The grapes for "Bambino" are from a 10-acre block
we planted on Old Hill in 1998. This young vine field-blend
is patterned after the ancient vine field-blend for which
Old Hill is known. The wine is a blend of at least a dozen
grape varieties - principally Zinfandel, but also Petite Sirah,
Alicante Bouchet and Grenache to name a few - all fermented
together to create this Zinfandel blend.
Our Bambino is deep purple in color
with intense blackberry aromas and lots of “Old Hill”
spice, including nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. The flavors
are intense too, with blackberries, cherries, and vanilla
spice. The tannins are big but ripe and mouth watering on
the finish.. A friend recently described it as follows; “
It’s like Wow! And then it is all fun in your mouth!” |
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