2004 Erba Mountainside Vineyards Merlot
Planted to all five Bordeaux varietals as well as Syrah, the Erba Mountainside Vineyard team has been blessed with a 'next to perfect' setting nestled well above the fog line. The vineyard is a twenty acre parcel consisting of fourteen blocks. Each row receives abundant sunshine through the early morning and mid-day, followed by forgiving Westerly breezes and cooling shade in the afternoon. To put it simply, each acre of Erba Mountainside wines consistently display a dark and richly complex, site specific character that you would only expect from the most seasoned wines. It all begins in that 'next to perfect' setting.
Climate: Located on the Eastern slope of Atlas Peak, Erba Mountainside Vineyard typically receives early morning and mid afternoon sun. The soils are volcanic and porous enabling the heat to radiate. Cooling breezes typically rush through the mountains at times taking the temperature down 30° F by late afternoon. The temperature change is vital to maintain acid structure in the grapes.
Winemaking: At harvest, clusters are hand picked, destemmed and sorted prior to crushing. Malolactic fermentation is done in barrique. 100% French Oak is used throughout, and 70% new oak is used in making the Merlot to not overwhelm the balance between fruit and terrior.
2004 Tasting Notes: Paul Erba's vineyard will never cease to amaze. Dark purple and rich, it moves like melted chocolate. Blackberry rushes from the glass followed by chocolate, hazelnuts, roasted meats and elements of smoke. Tannins offer medium grip to balance the enormity of the fruit and to preserve this wine well into a decade. The finish is multidimensional grazing each bit of the palate and lingering. Bravo!
Harvest Dates: September 3-10, 2004
Oak: 100% French, 70% New
Alc: 14.8%
pH: 3.8
TA: 0.59
Total Production: 545 cases |
2004 Erba Mountainside Vineyards Syrah
Planted to all five Bordeaux varietals as well as Syrah, the Erba Mountainside Vineyard team has been blessed with a 'next to perfect' setting nestled well above the fog line. The vineyard is a twenty acre parcel consisting of fourteen blocks. Each row receives abundant sunshine through the early morning and mid-day, followed by forgiving Westerly breezes and cooling shade in the afternoon. To put it simply, each acre of Erba Mountainside wines consistently display a dark and richly complex, site specific character that you would only expect from the most seasoned wines. It all begins in that 'next to perfect' setting.
Climate: Located on the Eastern slope of Atlas Peak, Erba Mountainside Vineyard typically receives early morning and mid afternoon sun. The soils are volcanic and porous enabling the heat to radiate. Cooling breezes typically rush through the mountains at times taking the temperature down 30° F by late afternoon. The temperature change is vital to maintain acid structure in the grapes.
Winemaking: At harvest, clusters are hand picked, destemmed and sorted prior to crushing. Malolactic fermentation is done in barrique. 100% French Oak is used throughout, and 60% new oak is used in this Syrah.
2004 Tasting Notes: The Erba Syrah is fast becoming the rising star of the property. A progigious wine from the moment it's poured, this wine displays as array of Rhone Valley attributes, with the dominant fruit forward characteristic of Napa Valley. Bold levels of black cherry, coffee, leather and smoked meat show immediately. It's the first spin of the glass that unveils a second layer of bittersweet chocolate and cedar. The silky palate offers flavors of the sweet mountain fruit and terroir and that you would expect from collectin worthy wines of the Northern Rhone.
Harvest Dates: September 29-October 17, 2004
Oak: 100% French, 60% New
Alc: 14.8%
pH: 3.8
TA: 0.59
Total Production: 354 cases
100% Syrah from clones 877, 470, and 174. |
2004 Erba Mountainside Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Planted to all five Bordeaux varietals as well as Syrah, the Erba Mountainside Vineyard team has been blessed with a 'next to perfect' setting nestled well above the fog line. The vineyard is a twenty acre parcel consisting of fourteen blocks. Each row receives abundant sunshine through the early morning and mid-day, followed by forgiving Westerly breezes and cooling shade in the afternoon. To put it simply, each acre of Erba Mountainside wines consistently display a dark and richly complex, site specific character that you would only expect from the most seasoned wines. It all begins in that 'next to perfect' setting.
Climate: Located on the Eastern slope of Atlas Peak, Erba Mountainside Vineyard typically receives early morning and mid afternoon sun. The soils are volcanic and porous enabling the heat to radiate. Cooling breezes typically rush through the mountains at times taking the temperature down 30° F by late afternoon. The temperature change is vital to maintain acid structure in the grapes.
Winemaking: At harvest, clusters are hand picked, destemmed and sorted prior to crushing. Malolactic fermentation is done in barrique. 100% French Oak is used throughout, and Cabernet is exposed to 80% new to enable the vineyard characteristics to come through in the wine.
2004 Tasting Notes: Deep and rich with glass gripping glycerin; the deep purple color could easily be discerned as black. The first aromas reflect the vineyard well - smoky, volcanic ash influenced terrior with elements of violet and black cherry. The flavor of black fruits including cherry and blackberry are followed by freshly cut tobacco and spice. Tannins are smooth, but young and unobtrusive.
Harvest Dates: September 7-October 7, 2004
Oak: 100% French, 80% New
Alc: 14.8%
pH: 3.76
TA: 0.65
Total Production: 905 cases
88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4.5% Merlot, 2.5% Petit Verdot. |
For ordering information:
erbavineyards@fullnet.net
|
|
