TASTING NOTES


The use of wine tasting descriptors
allow the taster an opportunity to
put into words the aromas and flavors
that they experience and can be used
in assessing the overall quality of wine.
The primary source of a person's ability
to taste wine is derived from their
olfactory senses.

A taster's own personal experiences
play a significant role in conceptualizing
what they are tasting and attaching a
description to that perception.

2008 DURELL CHARDONNAY


Appellation:

Sonoma Valley

Varietal Content:

100% Chardonnay

Barrel Aging:

16 months

Barrel Composition:

100% French Oak, 50% new

Production:

225 cases

Harvest:

September 6th & 8th

Total Acidity:

0.59g per 100ml

pH:

3.58

Residual Sugars:

Less than 0.1g per 100ml

Alcohol Content:

14.6%		 The 2008 is quintessential Durell Chardonnay. Ripe,
mouth-filling aromas of lemon zest and fresh fig explode
from the glass leading into abundant yellow tropical fruits.
On the palate the wine delivers mouth-filling layers of
Golden Delicious apple, peach, apricot and ripe melon
wrapped in a rich, creamy texture. This full bodied
Chardonnay finishes lush and persistent with a lively balance
of bright acidity and rich texture.

2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON


Appellation:

Sonoma Valley

Varietal Content:

82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec

Barrel Aging:

28 months

Barrel Composition:

100% French Oak, 50% new

Production:

210 cases

Harvest:

October 7th, 9th, 11th & 26th, 2006

Total Acidity:

0.67g per 100ml

pH:

3.70

Residual Sugars:

Less than 0.1g per 100ml

Alcohol Content:

14.4%		 Hand selected fruit from three mountain side vineyards –
Mountain Terraces, Alta Vista Vineyard and Bald Mountain
Vineyard – the 2006 is carefully blended to produce this
complex and approachable wine. Black licorice and dark
rose aromas lead off, followed by gobs of fresh juicy plum.
Ripe black cherry and black berry stretch the nose. Juicy
and inviting fresh black boysenberry and more plum fill out
the complex palate. This Cabernet is seamless and full
from the beginning through the well structured finish. Dark
fruit, racy flavors and balanced texture complete this lush wine.

2005 CABERNET SAUVIGNON


Appellation:

Sonoma Valley

Varietal Content:

75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec

Barrel Aging:

27 months

Barrel Composition:

100% French Oak, 50% new

Production:

253 cases

Harvest:

October 7th, November 1st & 5th

Total Acidity:

0.65g per 100ml

pH:

3.57

Residual Sugars:

Less than 0.1g per 100ml

Alcohol Content:

14.6%		 Sourced from three mountain vineyards, Block 5 Mtn Terraces,
Alta Vista Vineyard and Bald Mountain Vineyard (Malbec),
the winemaking shows restraint, finesse and acumen. There
are loads of plush wild berry on the nose. On the palate, we
find a hint of chocolate and black cherry with a touch of cassis
followed by an aroma of roasted coffee and sweet oak. The
prolonged finish is silky and vigorously lush.

2007 DURELL CHARDONNAY


Appellation:

Sonoma Valley

Varietal Content:

100% Chardonnay

Barrel Aging:

15 months

Barrel Composition:

100% French Oak, 50% new

Production:

212 cases

Harvest:

September 6th & 20th

Total Acidity:

0.69g per 100ml

pH:

3.54

Residual Sugars:

Less than 0.1g per 100ml

Alcohol Content:

14.6%		 The 2007 Chardonnay is our third vintage, sharing many of
the qualities that made the 2006 Chardonnay great. Both wines
have a round, full–bodied mouthfeel that gives way to a crisp
acidity and a bright, lusciously long finish. The 2007 starts off
with a full, creamy texture on the palette and an aroma of
honeysuckle, pear and golden delicious apple with a hint
of hazelnut. On the palate, we find stone fruit, honeydew melon,
pineapple and tropical notes complimented by flavors of honey
and vanilla leading to a smooth, slightly mineral finish. It is
beautifully balanced and layered.

2007 DURELL PINOT NOIR


Appellation:

Sonoma Coast

Varietal Content:

100% Pinot Noir

Barrel Aging:

15 months

Barrel Composition:

100% French Oak, 50% new

Production:

348 cases

Harvest:

September 5th, 7th  & 20th

Total Acidity:

0.61g per 100ml

pH:

3.60

Residual Sugars:

Less than 0.1g per 100ml

Alcohol Content:

14.7%		 The 2007 Pinot Noir was made with fruit exclusively from our
Durell Vineyard. Though the vineyard has more than 200 acres
planted, we made just 212 cases of this wine, allowing us to select
only the finest blocks from the vineyard, and then use only the
best barrels when assembling the final blend. This Pinot Noir
opens up with warm inviting aromas of juicy black cherries
and dark rosé, followed by black raspberry and spice. The mouth
is juicy and full with fresh plum, berries and a vibrant full
texture, finishing seamlessly with a smooth burst of lush fruit.