8 Weeks Cellar Craft Showcase Collection
THEY BEGIN IN THE VINEYARD
Exceptional grapes are used for our Showcase Collection. Most are harvested from specific blocks of named vineyards. All are given exceptional care during processing to ensure that all of the desirable character is retained and that no undesirable qualities are introduced. Care starts in the vineyards where we stipulate that yields must be controlled to less than 3 tons per acre. Intensity of flavours is preserved. The grapes are crushed and pressed in small batches using gentle bladder presses. No bitterness is introduced through overly aggressive juice extraction. The juices are settled only by gravity. No fining agents, filters or centrifuges are used. This leaves all of the desirable solids in the juices so that they can impart their flavours and esters into the wine during fermentation. The juices typically go from the vine to our freezers, at -18 degrees, in less than 24 hours. No sugars have been added to the must. No non-grape flavours, esters or botanicals have been added to the kit. We hope that you will agree that this attention to quality produces wines like you have never before experienced from a kit or bought juices.Note: Minimum processing creates superior flavours and aromatics but you may occasionally encounter "wine diamonds" in the bottle or glass, especially if the wine was over-chilled or stored several days in the refrigerator. These are natural, tasteless, harmless and inert. Simply pour the wine, gently trying to leave the crystals in the bottle.
RED SHOWCASE WINES
CRUSHED GRAPE PACKS
CellarCraft uses over 12 pounds of virgin, varietal grapes to produce "Crushed Grape Packs" for true, on-the-skins fermentation in its Showcase reds.All of the natural skins and solids from variety-specific grapes are captured for extra extraction of aromatics, flavour, tannin, colour and body during the fermentation stage. The finished wine shows character never before possible from a kit. Truly a quality breakthrough! Available in 16 varieties. Each kit is in the 18L format.
Rosso Fortissimo Oak 2 & 3 / Body 5 / Sweetness 0
Multiple medal winner* Our original "Crushed Grape Pack"wine. Super-Tuscan styled wine vinted from Cabernet Sauvignon,Merlot, Sangiovese and other native Italian varieties. Fermented on Yakima crushed Merlot grapes. A big, full-bodied wine with solid structure and bold fruit notes. Complex cassis, plum and cherry notes balance the bold tannins. French and American oaks contribute toasty vanilla and greater depth in this intense wine. Like all "Crushed Grape Pack"wines, a minimum of 6 months aging is required to begin to see harmony develop. A year is better and 2 years yield a very special wine for your enjoyment.
Chateau Du Pays Oak 1 / Body 3-4 / Sweetness 0
Multiple medal winner* In the style of fine wines of the southern Rhône Valley. This wine derives its complex character from Syrah,Carignan and Grenache grapes. Fermented on Syrah and Grenache crushed grapes. Rich flavours suggestive of cherry, raspberry, blackberry and plum combine with notes of pepper and chocolate. The finish shows a subtle herbaceous note and a suggestion of cedar and violets. Enjoyable after 3 months but does show its harmonious best after 9 months.
Syrah: Oak 4 & 5 / Body 5 / Sweetness 0
Rattlesnake Valley Vineyard,Yakima Valley, Washington
Multiple medal winner* Wine & Spirits magazine recently described Yakima Syrah as: "…easily in a league with those from the northern Rhône and southern Australia… bold, rich and lively, seductively perfumed and heroically structured with a kiss of elegance". Expect an aromatic rush of red and black fruit; hints of chocolate, coffee and licorice followed by the spiciness of black pepper in the Rattlesnake Valley Syrah. Our 2-stage oaking keeps the fruit in check and adds great structure. The deep-purple hued wine shows well after a minimum of 3 months but definitely benefits from extended aging. 1 or 2 years in the cellar will allow the wine to grow to its full, unbelievable potential.
Cabernet - Shiraz: Oak 3 & 4 / Body 5 / Sweetness 0
White Sands & Rattlesnake Valley Vineyards, Yakima Valley, Washington
Yakima Cabernet and Syrah (Shiraz) are often compared to the great wines of Australia, but they are also recognized as having their own, perhaps more sophisticated charm. We agree and suggest that if you enjoy the big fruity reds from down-under, you will want to discover why there is so much buzz about the powerhouse reds grown in Yakima. Medal winning* blockbuster with a rush of blackberry, plum, cherry and candied orange fragrances. Followed by flavours of currant, fig, cedar and spice intertwined with a beautiful balance of toasted oaks. Rich, elegant finish. Powerful flavours of fruit start to come together after 2-3 months aging. After 6-12 months the tannins soften and the wine's elegant charm really starts to reveal itself. Can be cellared for more than 2 years.
Merlot: Oak 2 / Body 3-4 / Sweetness 0
White Sands Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington
Bold, yet elegant. This Yakima Valley Merlot is big and full with up-front waves of raspberry, blackberry and plum. Subtle notes of cedar and mocha follow the fruit. Over time, the flavours harmonize while the select oak contributes a tempering vanilla note and establishes a sumptuous combination of textures and well defined structure. Dark, rich and intense, it is a wine worthy of aging; will continue to improve for at least 2 years in the bottle.
Cabernet -Merlot: Oak 3 & 5 / Body 4 / Sweetness 0
Bare Ridge Vineyard, WallaWalla Washington
Multiple medal winner* The WallaWalla appellation is very special. Its outstanding reds were what first putWashington on the world wine map. The wines are now grouped with world standard reds from Bordeaux, Napa and Sonoma. WallaWalla Cabernets and Merlots consistently rank in top 10 lists of the finest from the Americas. Our Bare Ridge offering is the classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet and Merlot but typifies the unique WallaWalla profile of intense fruit and spice flavours and aromatics. Notes of currant, cherry and plum are backed by hints of black pepper, anise and coffee. Two-stage French and Hungarian oaking nicely mellows the tannins and adds a suggestion of toastiness.
Carmenere: Oak 5 & 7 / Body 4 / Sweetness 0
Colchagua Valley, Chile
Multi-flavoured Carmenère from Colchagua shows best when processed with extended oak contact. Again we utilize our break-through, two-stage oaking system. Hungarian oak shavings are introduced at the start of fermentation; then lightly toasted Hungarian oak cubes are used for further extraction during the post-fermentation stage. The oaks together add surprisingly soft tannins, subtle toast, and vanilla which provide a terrific backdrop to the aromas and flavours of blackberry, black cherry, tropical fruit, and spice from the grapes. With age, notes of coffee,mocha, and tobacco can be expected along with a mineral tang that forms as part of the lengthy finish. The wine is medium- to full-bodied with bright ruby colour. Its charm will begin to show after 6 months of cellaring, and it should continue to develop for at least 2 years.
Tempranillo: Oak 5 & 8 / Body 3 / Sweetness 0
LaMancha, Spain
Tempranillo has long been the star grape of Spain and is grown in several areas, producing many styles. La Mancha Tempranillo is characterized by a juicy, fruity quality with bright aromas and flavours of ripe cherries followed by hints of cocoa and spice. It shows a racy texture and is medium-bodied. The style will appeal to those who enjoy modern, approachable style Chianti, Beaujolais, or Valpolicella. As a plus,we believe you will find that our unique oak treatment adds extra complexity and depth,making our Tempranillo more versatile with food pairings. Our oak process yields soft tannins and contributes warm vanilla to the nose as a perfect balance to the dominant cherry aromas and background suggestions of black currant and spice. Flavours echo the aroma with layers of vanilla, currant, coffee, and black pepper that linger through the attractive finish. While young, the wine profiles its powerful fruit character. After 4-6 months in the bottle, the fruit begins to integrate with the oak and develop a more lush,balanced complexity. Will continue to develop for at least a year.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Oak 4 & 5 / Body 5 / Sweetness 0
Sunset Ridge Vineyard,RedMountain,Washington
Winner of 10 Gold Medals in 2009* Red Mountain officially received AVA (American Viticulture Area) status in 2001. AVA status recognizes the area's unique soil and climate conditions creating a taste profile in its red wine that is truly distinct to the region. The vineyards have high calcium carbonate content in their soil. This imparts a distinctive chalkiness which combines with the powerful dark fruit qualities of the grape to create the big, chewy mouth-feel that is a clear signature of Red Mountain Cabernet. Another distinction is a hint of orange peel or Grand Marnier-like aromatics and flavours. Together these two traits make Red Mountain Cabernet immediately recognizable, highly prized, and much sought after. The grapes enjoyed excellent growing conditions in 2007 and were harvested at 24 Brix, 3.5 pH, and 6.0 g/l total acidity, and with fully developed flavours. Age the wine at least 1 year; then save some to enjoy after 2, 3, or 4 years in the bottle. A wine for your best cuts of beef or lamb and luckiest friends.
Shiraz: Oak 3 & 5 / Body 5 / Sweetness 0
Stellenbosch Hills Vineyards, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Multiple MedalWinner* Our outstanding, award winning 2007 Limited Release is back as part of the regular Showcase Collection. This Shiraz from South Africa's Stellenbosch region continues to gain international recognition for its distinctive new style. It may best be described as having Rhône-style backbone but with heady,New-World, up-front fruit. It is however more refined than many Australian"fruit bombs." Fermentation on a Crushed Grape Pack of Stellenbosch Shiraz grapes ensures that the wine shows heightened layers of blackberry, boysenberry, fig, and plum, followed by notes of cocoa, chocolate, and coffee. It subtly shows the trademark black pepper note common to all Syrah and Shiraz. Two-stage oak treatment, using French and Hungarian oaks, contributes vanilla and toast while harmonizing the many flavours within the wine. A subtle hint of mineral remains in the background, then accompanies the fruit through the long finish. The wine will begin to show its potential after 6 months ageing and should continue to develop for at least 2 years. Will pair wonderfully with all of your best red meat meals. Sure to impress your guests.
Shiraz: Oak 4 & 5 (double) / Body 5 / Sweetness 0
Darlington Point, Riverina, Australia
The wine shows a deep crimson colour with purple undertones. The up-front aromatics reflectthe typical dark fruit notes of blackberry, cherry, and plum, complimented by restrained black pepper which should become more pronounced with age. In the background are subtle layers of toast and vanilla from the oak. The aromas continue to the palate creating a soft, rounded expression of the fruits, spice, and oak. Tannins are in gentle harmony with the overall impression and create a well defined yet delicate frame for the wine. This Shiraz should be a very good match for a wide range of foods: steaks, braised lamb shanks, pizzas, chili con carne, pastas with tomato-based sauces. The wine is surprisingly approachable even just 12 weeks after pitching the yeast but will continue to develop for 2-3 years.