1999 Methuselah $ 55.00

This is decidedly a Bordeaux-style wine, as opposed to a Napa or California style. It is sleek and refined, elegant and poised. The Merlot gives a fruity, fleshy exterior with black cherry and black raspberry aromas and a sensually seductive palate. The Sauvignon gives structure, tannin and a black tea and currant/cassis quality to the aroma and flavor. The Cabernet Franc adds a blueberry note and a lovely, spicy perfume. The 3% Petite Verdot gives color, body, structure, a haunting violet nose and a lift to the berry quality of the fruit overall.

2001 Grenache $ 35.00

This is a wine in the grand old style of Chateauneuf du Pape. It is produced entirely from the Grenache Noir clone which was legally imported from the Chateauneuf appellation during the 1990's. This clone or selection has smaller berries, thicker skins and greater depth of color than the typical Grenache grape. After a long, two week fermentation the wine was racked to older French oak barrels for nearly three years of patient aging in order to fully realize the potential of the vintage. Endowed with scents of roses, raspberries, chapparral and flavors of plums, dried cherries and blackberries. DRG 5/04

2001 Pinot Noir Careaga $ 44.00

This vintage enjoyed the distinction of entirely escaping the problematic autumn rains that often affect the condition and quality of the grape at harvest. In fact, the ensuing winter was one of the drier on record. Fermentation took place in small, open topped fermenters, punched down three times daily to mix the skins and juice, then pressed after a period of two weeks. After overnight settling, the new wine was racked to French and American oak barrels for aging on the lees to develop characteristic flavor and aroma. One racking only was performed in May of 2002. The wine was bottled unfiltered in Feb of 2003. This cool vineyard produces wines with deeply sweet black cherry and wild strawberry fruit matched with spicy and vanilla tones from oak aging.

2002 Merlot $ 33.00

This is anther fine vintage for cool climate Merlot in Santa Barbara County. A dry winter, warm summer and long, dry autumn combined to produce a moderate crop of dark, thick skinned grapes. The fermentation took place in an encolsed tank with frequent pumpovers during a two week period. Aging in French oak barrels for 20 months adds smoothness and complexity to the ripe black cherry, leather and raspberry character of the vintage. Five percent each of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon were added for the final blend. DRG 5/04

2004 Ozymandias $ 42.00

According to the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus (1st century B.C.), the statue of Ozymandias was reported to be the largest in Egypt and said to bear the following inscription: “I am Ozymandias, the King of Kings; if any man wishes to know what I am and where I am buried, let him surpass me in some of my achievements.” This “commanding” wine is an equal blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich and full bodied, with flavors of blackberry, black currant and cassis. It is fit for a king, even Ozymandias. DRG 2/05

2004 Syrah, Santa Barbara County $ 38.00

This hearty, rich Syrah was grown in a cool climate location not far from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The young vines produced a small crop of dark, loose clusters producing this deeply colored wine. Black cherry, Kirsch, and fresh prune plum aromas and flavors are complemented by shadings of toasty, smoky French oak in this age worthy, northern Rhone-style wine. DRG 12/05