In general, one could say that 2006 is akin to a more-structured version of 2005. While the wines have a similar aromatic complexity, they are more dense and structured. The 2006 growing season began wet and rainy with an average bud-break in late March. Although the vines were strong and vigorous, but not quite as much as 2005, the set in 2006 was much lighter than the previous vintage with many shoots carrying only one cluster. Possible explanations for this include the wet spring in 2005 and the large yields from the 2005 vintage. Heat arrived in the first half of July with temperatures reaching and surpassing 100 degrees (F) for about 10 days during the middle of berry development, which produced small berries and thick skins. Given the absence of a heat spike in September along with a sunny and warm October, harvest was later than normal leading to beautifully ripe fruit with huge phenolic material.
2006 “The Bard” Proprietary Red Wine – Napa Valley AVA. Blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Petit Verdot and 12% Merlot. This is always our Cabernet-based blend and in 2006 was derived from vineyards in Oakville, Yountville, St. Helena, and Coombsville which help bring out the aromatics and fruit. Aged in 100% French Oak (mostly Darnajou). 160 cases
Winemaker Notes: Super-ripe berry, cherry, plum, toasted oak and spice aromas do not completely prepare the taster for the hugely voluminous, rich, sweet palate impression left by this wine. The classic Napa Valley Cabernet character comes through in spades but leaves a thoroughly modern flavor profile, coasting into a long finish with just the right amount of supporting acid balancing the unctuous mouth feel.
2006 Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – St. Helena AVA. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (clone 6) from the west side of highway 29 in St. Helena (near the Hayne vineyard). Planted in an extremely gravelly site and harvested at roughly 2 tons per acre. Aged in 100% new French Oak (mix of Darnajou , Taransaud, and Sylvain). 210 cases
Winemaker Notes: This is a deeply spicy, complex, ripe and aromatic wine. Maybe our most complete wine of 2006, with all the elements folding together to make a great package. Much denser than our 2005, look for full-bodied intensity and an abundance of fine-grained tannin. Low yields from Clone 6, and these great gravelly soils, will undoubtedly lure you in with a sense of place and the feeling that you are drinking a wine with a wealth of character.
2006 Farella Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley AVA. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (clones 4 & 8) from a volcanic red-clay site in Coombsville that is one of our coolest sites. Driven by the intense minerality of this volcanic site, this wine exhibits the most Bordeaux-like qualities of our 2006 vintage wines. Aged in 100% new French Oak (mix of Taransaud, Darnajou and Gamba). 445 cases
Winemaker Notes: With its intense purple core, this wine invites you to inhale deeply. Look for a boisterous, concentrated bouquet of blackberry, chocolate, cherry, and toast leading to a focused yet elegant palate of great complexity and depth. Although this could be called our most elegant wine of 2006, the fruit is hugely ripe leaving the impression of sweet dark berries and chocolate through the long finish.
2006 “The Tempest” Proprietary Red Wine – Napa Valley AVA. Blend of 68% Merlot, 16% Petit Verdot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. This is our Merlot-based blend and in 2006 was derived from vineyards in Yountville, St. Helena and Pope Valley. Aged in 100% new French Oak (mix of Taransaud, Darnajou and Sylvain). 213 cases
Winemaker Notes: Detailed aromas of cherry, raspberry, red licorice, violet, vanilla cookie and hot rocks lead to a rich, dense and structured palate. Merlot loves to be grown in clay and this wine shows its clay soil origins with a lot of ripe, fine-grained tannins adding body to the palate. The strength of material is outstanding with dense flavors and a focused, long finish making this our most balanced wine of the line-up.
2006 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – Oakville AVA. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (Clone 4) from this legendary vineyard, which was harvested at roughly 3 tons per acre. Aged in 100% new French oak (mostly Taransaud). 220 cases
Winemaker Notes: Wines from the To Kalon vineyard are unmistakable for their gigantic mid-palate, lush texture and sweet, spicy, mineral-driven aromatics. In 2006 the weather cooperated to give us all of these traits in enormous quantities. A beautiful, large-scaled wine in all respects, it is mouth-filling, deep and powerful with a long finish and great integration of its exotic oak and meltingly ripe fruit.
