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.
WHITE SHOWCASE WINES
Chardonnay - Yakima Valley: Oak 6 / Body 4 / Sweetness 0
We have been using Yakima Chardonnay for several years to add top note flavour or complexity to several of our wines. It finally gets a starring role in this new Chardonnay which is designed to reflect today's style of Chardonnay. It has fruit-centered aromas and flavours of citrus, green apple and pear held together with balanced, juicy acidity. We are currently completing several wood-contact trials to determine how best to introduce vanilla and spice notes while adding structure to frame the pleasant fruit. When released,we expect to see a brisk, medium weight Chardonnay typical of the Yakima style. The more refined style will make for a broader range of synergistic food pairing possibilities. We think that this wine may make you change your mind about Chardonnay, if you have tired of the brawny, over-oaked wines which have become so common-place.
Gewürztraminer - Riesling: Oak 0 / Body 4 / Sweetness 2
Snipes Valley & Cherry Hill Vineyards,Yakima Valley,Washington
Multiple medal winner* Peach and melon undertones from Riesling marry beautifully with the spice,mango, grapefruit and lychee notes from Gewürztraminer. Incredibly elegant with a hint of sweetness from our Riesling-based Flavour Reserve. Enjoy young and fresh or cellar for a more harmonious profile. Extremely food friendly. Enjoy young and not over-chilled.
Gewürztraminer: Oak 0 / Body 4-5 / Sweetness 1
Snipes Valley Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington
Pronounce"geh-voort-strah-mee-nehr"or simply"geh-voortz"
Multiple medal winner* Snipes Valley Vineyard has cooler slopes where Gewürztraminer develops with a racy edge and pronounced spiciness and fruit that defines the wine. A powerhouse of lychee,mango, grapefruit, honey and spice. Our exclusive, all natural "Flavour Reserve" finishes the wine off-dry for a lovely, lingering final impression. Enjoy young and racy or age longer for a more refined profile. Lightly chill and enjoy with most Asian foods.