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| Why Carneros? Inspired by his affinity for the great wines of Burgundy, Francis Mahoney gravitated to the Carneros District which had long been known to be ideal for cultivating Burgundian grapes – most notably Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The shallow, rocky clay loam soils of Carneros make the vines work hard to establish roots. This “stressing” yields smaller, intense varietal fruit. And the cool breezes off the water temper the hot summers and cold winters – promoting full and even ripening of the fruit and balance in the wine. | Kelseyville, CA
Phone: 888-412-0194
Website: http://www.briarcliffwines.com/carneroscreek.php
Appellation: Carneros (Los Carneros) |
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Pinot Noir
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2002 Grail Pinot Noir
Carneros
Sweet black cherry and vanilla nose, voluptuous ripe red, black cherry spice, sweet oak, chocolate vanilla flavors seamlessly lead to a ripe, smooth lingering, rich finish.
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Pinot Noir
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2003 Grail Pinot Noir
Carneros
100% Las Brisas Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir located where the Southeastern most corner of the Sonoma County AVA and the Southwestern corner of the Napa Valley meet. This very smal ... morel vineyard is reserved only for our Grail Pinot Noir. A true reflection of the terrior and "Burgundian" passions, the 2003 Grail is ruby red color, with aromas of ripe Bing cherry, spice and undertones of toasted oak. In the mouth, a lovely supple texture with evident concentration of ripe cherry flavors leading seamlessly to a rich finish with lush velvety feel and subtle background acidity.
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Pinot Noir
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2004 Grail Pinot Noir
Carneros
Ruby in color, the wine shows red cherry and sweet French oak up front, with black tea and vanilla in the background. In the mouth, the impression is of ripe but decidedly red frui ... moret, cherry, not berry. Good acidity keeps the palate lively, clean and fresh, with a nice balance between fruit and oak. The wine has a classic feel, with a purity of fruit that is Carneros at it’s best. Extended time in barrel has integrated the wine, which is drinking nicely now, and will continue to evolve for five or more years to come. Winemaker: Ken Foster
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Pinot Noir
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2005 Grail Pinot Noir
Carneros
This wine is the result of careful selections of our best lots of Pinot Noir, with judicious use of French oak. Ruby in color, the wine shows a fusion of ripe red cherry and spice ... morearomas, with subtle hints of crème brulee in the background. A lush, velvety texture up front leads to concentrated cherry and blackberry flavors, with hints of vanilla, caramel and cedar in the finish. The wine shows fine-grained tannins, with enough acidity to keep the fruit lively and add length to the palate. Sixteen months in barrel has created a sense of integration and harmony in the wine, which, while drinking nicely now, will continue to evolve for three or so years to come.
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Pinot Noir
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2002 Carneros Reserve Pinot Noir
Carneros
Sweet black cherry and vanilla nose, voluptuous ripe red, black cherry spice, sweet oak, chocolate vanilla flavors seamlessly lead to a ripe, smooth lingering, rich finish.
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Pinot Noir
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2003 Carneros Reserve Pinot Noir
Carneros
Ripe red cherry, sweet oak and chocolate aromas meld into like flavors, ripe red/black cherry, Bourbon barrel oak tones, complex, silky yet generous ripe red fruit flavors end in a ... more long soft finish.
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Pinot Noir
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2004 Carneros Reserve Pinot Noir
Carneros
Dark ruby in color, the wine shows lush, ripe red cherry aromas with subtle spice and oak in the background. A velvety texture up front, with subtle French oak leads to dark cherry ... more and plum flavors in the finish. Overall, the wine has a sense of ripe fruit plushness with a well defined tannin structure beneath that lends a hint of flint or stone on the palate. Extended time in barrel has integrated the wine, which is drinking nicely now, and will continue to evolve for three or so years to come.
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Pinot Noir
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2005 Carneros Reserve Pinot Noir
Carneros
Ruby in color, the wine shows jammy cherry pie aromas with subtle spice in the background. A lush texture up front, with subtle French oak leads to vivid, condensed red cherry flav ... moreors which linger in the finish. The wine shows fruit that is at once lively, youthful, and evolved, with a supple tannin structure beneath. Extended time in barrel has integrated the wine, which is drinking nicely now, and will continue to evolve for three or so years to come.
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Pinot Noir
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2006 Carneros Reserve Pinot Noir
Carneros
Deep ruby in color, the wine shows jammy cherry and spiced plum aromas with subtle toasted oak in the background. In the mouth the wine displays ripe fruit balanced by a pleasing a ... morecidity, with lingering flavors of red cherry, cranberry, and baking spices. At once lively, youthful, and integrated, the wine shows a supple tannin structure which will accompany a wide array of food. While drinking nicely now, it will continue to evolve gracefully for four or more years to come.
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Pinot Noir
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2004 RamsHead Reserve Pinot Noir
Sonoma County
Sweet ripe strawberry predominates the aroma, red cherry and ripe strawberry jam flavors abound, mid-bodied this deliciously fruit forward Pinot Noir is a refreshing change of pace ... more for the palate and pocketbook.
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Chardonnay
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2001 Gavin Vineyards Chardonnay
Carneros
The Gavin Vineyard is comprised of two blocks adjacent to the winery on the Napa side of the Carneros, also within the boundaries of the Napa Valley appellation. These vines produc ... moree low yields of fruit, and wines with concentrated flavors. We harvested into small bins, and went directly to the press with whole clusters to minimize handling. A regime of gentle pressing, a short settling period, and barrel fermentation with a wide array of yeasts, helped to create complexity while preserving the inherent character of the fruit. Extended sur-lies aging added richness and toast flavors to the wine, while helping to integrate the French oak notes with the fruit. The result is a bold and complex wine with forward citrus and tropical fruit notes layered with yeasty toast and sweet oak in the finish.
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Updated on June 10, 2008
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