Producer Article
Schramsberg Vineyards
Last edited on 4/8/2010 by MNAndyman
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Producer website
"Aromas of black cherry, plum, and cranberry accentuated by black licorice, tobacco, and black tea. The bright palate of strawberry and dried cranberry affirm the aromas with soft velvety tannins supplying the support for the Santa Rosa plum finish." Winemakers Sean Thompson and Hugh Davies
Wines are like babies, each new release is like meeting a new family member. It's part of the family carrying the lineage, yet it's unique with his or her distinct character. This is one of the charms of working in
a winery; no two wines are ever the same, just as each child has his or her own personality. So it's always with a high degree of excitement that I taste a new Schramsberg wine. Last year, the debut vintage 2006 jd was really terrific; the wine was rich, soft, delicious and ready to drink upon release.
We were thrilled with the response of the first vintage as it sold out very quickly. Just as last year, the wine is entirely made from grapes grown on our own Diamond Mountain vineyard. The wine is
made from wine lots that did not perfectly fit into the first label's makeup. The varietal breakdown is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot. To my palate, Malbec adds color and mid-palate juicy fruit. Petit Verdot adds a spicy character similar to Syrah. The wine was aged for 56% in new French oak and 44% in one year old barrels. The nose was of black fruit and rich oak, per-fumy and inviting. No mistake here, it's a Diamond Mountain hillside Cabernet and it smells like one. As I tasted
the wine, I was first amazed by its density and concentration. Ripe black fruits take the lead and blossom into black licorice. Nice rich oak with subtle notes of vanilla was also obvious. I was also surprised by the length and power of this wine; it keeps on going without being aggressive or tannic
"Aromas of black cherry, plum, and cranberry accentuated by black licorice, tobacco, and black tea. The bright palate of strawberry and dried cranberry affirm the aromas with soft velvety tannins supplying the support for the Santa Rosa plum finish." Winemakers Sean Thompson and Hugh Davies
Wines are like babies, each new release is like meeting a new family member. It's part of the family carrying the lineage, yet it's unique with his or her distinct character. This is one of the charms of working in
a winery; no two wines are ever the same, just as each child has his or her own personality. So it's always with a high degree of excitement that I taste a new Schramsberg wine. Last year, the debut vintage 2006 jd was really terrific; the wine was rich, soft, delicious and ready to drink upon release.
We were thrilled with the response of the first vintage as it sold out very quickly. Just as last year, the wine is entirely made from grapes grown on our own Diamond Mountain vineyard. The wine is
made from wine lots that did not perfectly fit into the first label's makeup. The varietal breakdown is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot. To my palate, Malbec adds color and mid-palate juicy fruit. Petit Verdot adds a spicy character similar to Syrah. The wine was aged for 56% in new French oak and 44% in one year old barrels. The nose was of black fruit and rich oak, per-fumy and inviting. No mistake here, it's a Diamond Mountain hillside Cabernet and it smells like one. As I tasted
the wine, I was first amazed by its density and concentration. Ripe black fruits take the lead and blossom into black licorice. Nice rich oak with subtle notes of vanilla was also obvious. I was also surprised by the length and power of this wine; it keeps on going without being aggressive or tannic