Magnum Special - 2004 Pinot Noir, Careaga $ 88.00

We bottled a mere five barrels of this exceptionally smooth wine in 2004 for our Vintage Wine Club members only. Following fermentation in small, open topped fermenters the wine was transferred to French oak barrels together with all its lees where it was aged for 11 months. This infuses the bright, black cherry flavors and aromas with a sense of terroir and a very silky, creamy texture that is exceptional. Enjoy this exquisite Pinot Noir with salmon, lamb or duck entrees over the next 2-4 years.

Magnum Special - 2001 Syrah, Santa Barbara County
$ 98.00

A nearly ideal vintage, 2001 had low rainfall and a long, warm, dry growing season capped off by gorgeous, Indian summer days extending into November. The grapes for this wine are comprised of three distinct clones; one Austrailian, one an older and the other a newer French clone. We also included five percent each of Grenache Noir and Viognier for an added element of red fruit to match the black stonefruit of the Syrah together with a hint of exotic, Viognier perfume.

Magnum Special - 2001 Shiraz $ 98.00

This wine is big and sturdy with dark color, black stone fruits ripely presented, rich earthiness and a round, barrel aged palate awaiting your match of grilled lamb, a juicy barbequed steak or a slow cooked, meat-falling-off-the-bones Saltimboca lamb shank. If you love big, full throttle red wines this is the one for you.

Magnum Special - 2001 Merlot, Santa Ynez Valley $ 98.00

Our 2001 Merlot enjoyed a long, warm and dry growing season that permitted us to harvest the grapes at ideal ripeness and in excellent condition. A long fermentation gently extracted marvelous color and richness. This is a supple, luxurious Merlot with deep black cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors. It was aged for two full years in French and American oak barrels for uncommon smoothness and complexity.

Magnum Special - 2001 Grenache $ 98.00

This wine possesses much of the classical earth, spice, cherry and raspberry of Chateauneuf du Pape, which itself is predominantly Grenache. Enjoy this Grenache with south of France and Mediterranean cuisine such as Osso Bucco or Rack of Lamb with rosemary or perhaps a slow braised lamb shank to appreciate the Old World character of this vintage.

Magnum Special - 2001 Cabernet Franc $ 98.00

2001 began another of a series of low rainfall years on the Central Coast. This hillside vines near Los Olivos and Happy Canyon set a modest to normal crop which ripened in dry and sunny Indian summer conditions late in October. After fermentation in a combination of stainless steel and small, open topped, fermenters the wine was barreled into 4-6 year old French and American oak for an unusually long 26 months. Ten percent Cabernet Sauvignon was added just prior to bottling for balance and complexity. Blackberry and blueberry aromas together with a hint of dustiness create an invitation to the firmly structured flavors of black cherry and wild anise in this age-worthy wine.

Magnum Special - 2000 Methuselah, S.Y. Valley $ 103.00

The 2000 growing season was long, warm and favorable for a large crop. Consequently, a considerable percentage of the fruit was removed to ensure complete and uniform ripeness. A wet October delayed ripening but warm, sunny days returned late in the month and into November, allowing us to harvest these grapes at near ideal ripeness. A softer vintage than was the case in '99 led us to blend a higher percentage of Cabernet Franc and less Merlot while keeping the Cabernet Sauvignon component nearly steady. Aged for over two full years in 1-2 year old French and American oak this is a sturdy yet elegant wine with blackberry, black cherry, cassis, earth, toast and spice complexity.

Magnum Special - 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon $ 106.00

This Cabernet Sauvignon was aged in French Oak for a total of 26 months. The resulting wine has added nuances of spice, vanilla and black currant richness with an uncommonly smooth, velvety texture. Enjoy this with rich dishes of beef, and lamb.

Magnum Special - 2003 Petit Verdot $ 88.00

Petit Verdot has an almost haunting perfume of delicate violets with which it can infuse this elusive element into Bordeaux blends. It is a big, black, inky red wine that will grace any table or characteristic in full measure. Dan recommends pairing it with a hearty steak, grilled over a barbeque or with wild game like venison, elk or American Bison.

Magnum Special - 2005 Cabernet Franc, $ 75.00

A very old variety indeed, modern DNA fingerprinting has shown that Cabernet Franc is one of the parents of the noble Cabernet Sauvignon. It was so well regarded for its perfumey aromas and plummy, blackberry flavors in southwestern France that Cardinal Richelieu had it planted at the Abbaye de St. Nicolas-de-Bourgueil in the Loire Valley in the 18th century. Our California interpretation is rich and ripe with blackberry, blueberry, ripe plum, black pepper and fig aromas and flavors. Enjoy it with the same hearty foods as you would a fine Cabernet Sauvignon and savor a big taste of history.

Magnum Special - 2005 Methuselah - $ 75.00

These three varieties are historically blending partners, the proportions of each depending upon numerous factors including regional tradition, actual plantings at the Chateau, and the blending preferences of the winemaker. For 2005 I have chosen to emphasize Cabernet Franc which is big, bold, spicy and rich with notes of blueberry and plum. The Cabernet Sauvignon gives structure and length on the palate with black currant and blackberry flavors with a bit of Merlot adding smoothness and ripe sweetness on the palate making this Methuselah a classical, yet thoroughly Californian red wine. Enjoy over the next 4-5 years with beef, lamb and other hearty fare. DRG 12/07

Magnum Special - 2005 Sangiovese $ 75.00

Sangiovese thrives in the moderately warm climate of the Santa Ynez Valley where these grapes were grown. Cool nights, foggy mornings and ward to hot afternoons allow the vines to ripen their grapes slowly to perfection preserving balanced natural acidity and sugar at harvest. After fermentation the wine was aged in older French and American oak barrels for just over two years. This wine is bursting with wild strawberry and red cherry fruit flavors following similar aromas with alluring hints of tea leaf and spice. It is a wonderful companion with Italian and Mediterranean foods and may be enjoyed over the next 3-5 years. DRG 12/07

Magnum Special - 2005 Zinfandel Reserve $ 75.00

This Reserve Zinfandel comes from a small block of vines near the historic Santa Ynez Mission and the river of the same name. The cool, often foggy mornings, bright, sunny afternoons and alluvial soils produced a wine in the classic, California style typified by Sonoma County Zinfandel at its finest. Very dark with zesty acidity and bright brambleberry fruit this wine is vivacious, cutting edge and thoroughly delicious.

Magnum Special - 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon $ 75.00

Our 2006 Cabernet is the product of two cool vineyards, each noted for a Bordeaux-style that is sleek, well colored, well balanced and great at the table with good food.  This vintage produced sturdy, age-worthy red wines deserving of the patient cellaring which this wine has received; over two years old at time of bottling.  Barrel aging added a touch of nutmeg and allspice to the primary fruit aromas of cassis and blackberries.  Deeply flavored with good acidity, smooth tannins and a bright finish this is a fine example of what the Central Coast can produce.  DRG 1/09

Magnum Special - 2006 Sangiovese $ 75.00

2006 was a fine vintage year yielding red wines of authority, concentration and the promise of a long life.  So much so, in fact, that 2 1/2 years of barrel aging in French and American oak were needed to tame this wine's youthful tannins.  Look for hints of wild strawberries, raspberries, dried grasses, sweet moist earth and spicy oak.  Outstanding with Italian foods, naturally.

Magnum Special - 2006 Syrah $ 75.00

With 1400 acres planted Santa Barbara County is among the top six Syrah producing counties in California and with good reason: the variety thrives here. Warm days and cool nights assure a long growing season and well balanced, fully ripe grapes.  The Syrah has a complex aroma of wild blackberries, a damp forest and wild mushrooms infused with a smoky-sweet French oak.  Flavors of jammy blackberry, toast and spice are smooth and balanced with mild tannins framing the finish.  Enjoy with grilled foods, red meats and cheeses.  DRG 06/09

Magnum Special - 2006 Zinfandel $ 75.00

In 2006 for the second year I purchased Zinfandel from a single vineyard on the Santa Ynez River bench just east of the Danish village of Solvang.  It turned out to be the final vintage from this promising source as a new owner ordered the vines pulled out in the winter of 2007.  Two clones comprise this lovely Zinfandel; a heritage clone from Sonoma County and a Primitivo clone of Italian origin.  This is an "old school" Sonoma style with a bright acidity and pure, brambleberry fruit reminiscent of the wines I enjoyed as a young man.  It was aged in American oak for over two years.  DRG 04/09

Magnum Special - 2007 Grenache $ 75.00

Grenache has long been a mainstay of blends and single variety wines from Spain to France to Australia to California. It has succeeded in gaining a solid foothold in our region in the past decade as well and continues to gain in popularity. This wine has an enticing aroma of wild strawberry, cherry and spice. Flavors continue with spicy black cherries. It is round and smooth with a jammy-juicy impression with well structured fruit tannins supporting its ripe character. Versatility is Grenache's middle name so enjoy with many foods where a red wine is preferred.

Magnum Special - 2007 Zinfandel $ 75.00

One of my winemaking passions is old vines.  Head trained and spur pruned. Gnarly and grizzled. Another one is Zinfandel. Put the two together with one of the great, mother lode Sonoma appellations and you've got this wine. A lovely dark, brooding red color announces an aroma of jammy raspberry-brambleberry fruit with spicy notes and a hint of lanolin. The flavors are ripe and juicy and altogether classic "Zin". Fruit tannins are soft giving structure to a long, chalky finish. Great with grilled red meats and Italian-Mediterranean foods. Enjoy over the next ten years.  DRG 06/09