Artisan Family of Wines Announces Three New Releases
Even in a Recession, You Needn’t Lower Your “Wine-Drinking Standards
Website: http://www.artisanfamilyofwines.com/
Here are three terrific food-wines for under $20. The style may be different but the commonality is quality. From the flexible Cabernet to the elegant Meritage to the delightful Rose, we loved them all. So will you!
2005 Sly Dog Cellars
Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2005 Sly Dog Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon was meticulously crafted by winemaker Chris Markell. Chris is an advisor to wineries and brings over 30 years of winemaking experience to the Sly Dog team. He’s a global winemaker who has worked and consulted for prestigious wineries in California, France, Australia, and Chile. With his attention to detail and passion for quality and balance, Chris has a gift for selecting the very best grapes. He’s also extremely skillful at delivering the finest expression of a variety’s potential flavor and complexity. His attention to detail and stare-of-the-art winemaking practices are demonstrated in the many layers of flavor and complexity in this special Cabernet Sauvignon.
This 2005 release is the second vintage of this crafted Cabernet Sauvignon from the noted Red Hills District of Lake County. Lake County, once a part of Napa County, produces some great wines from the likes of noted wineries, like the Steeles, Wildhurst, and Langtree. The Red Hills District is noted for its terroir which produces unique and distinct grapes. The red gravely loam soils allow deep root penetration, which help produce small, succulently flavorful berries. Hot summer days and cool nights are perfect climate, contributing to this fruit forward, well-balanced, and flavorful Cabernet.
Technical Information:
Alcohol: 13.9%
pH: 3.70
T.A.: 6.2 g/l
Production: 6,400 cases
Winemaker Notes:
This 2005 Sly Dog Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet with aromas of dried raspberry, rose petals, wild cherry, and cassis On the palate, red raspberry dominates followed by flavors of currant and a hint of anise, with subtle vanilla and cracked white pepper on the finish.
Food & Wine Pairing:
This wine is best paired with moderately rich dishes like Grilled Stuffed Portabellas and a rich Chocolate Cabernet Sauvignon Cake. All of these recipes are available here.
Suggested Retail: $14.99
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The 2006 Seven Artisan’s Meritage was meticulously crafted by winemaking partner Jeffrey A. Miller. In 2005, Jeff Miller of Napa, California, became a wine grape grower. Along with his wife Beryl, they have a 34-acre vineyard under cultivation in adjacent Suisun Valley. As with many growers before him, it didn’t take very long before the desire to taste the pure expression of what he was growing, and how it would perform as a wine under his watchful eye, took over. By 2006, as a budding winemaker, Jeff Miller and his partner Richard Burnley released their first vintage under the label of 2004 Sly Dog Cellars. Their next wine released was 2007 Red Côte Rosé.
Technical Information: Variety: 89.5% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 0.25% Malbec, and 0.25% Petite Verdot
Alcohol: 14.1%
pH: 3.50
T.A.: 5.7 g/l
Production: 1,525 cases
Winemaker Notes:
The 2006 Meritage is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of Petite Verdot and Malbec. It is a well structured wine with good acidity and dark fruit that pairs well with richer foods, especially lamb, beef, and even game. It was bottled in September 2008, and released on March 20, 2009.
Food & Wine Pairing:
Pair with Cuban Style Picadillo, Roast Prime Rib of Beef, or Sirloin of Lamb with Black Currant and Juniper Berry Sauce.
Suggested Retail: $17.99
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2007 Red Côte Rosé
~ Inaugural Release ~
The 2007 Red Côte Rosé was harvested from Trece and Greg’s Vineyard, located on Clayton Road in Suisun Valley. After a mild pressing, the juice was fermented at relatively low temperatures (approximately 1° Brix drop per day) to maintain maximum fruit flavors. The fermentation was ended with 0.8% residual sugar remaining. One barrel of Petite Sirah, also from Suisun Valley, was blended into the wine after the Cabernet Sauvignon fermentation was complete. The relatively high acid levels combined with the small amount of residual sugar produce a wine that is off-dry, yet racy and fruity.
Technical Information: Variety: 96% Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Rosé of Petite Sirah
Alcohol: 13.8%
pH: 3.27
T.A.: 0.67 g/l00ml
RS: 0.8%
Production: 580 cases
Winemaker Notes:
This 2007 rose exhibits a bright bouquet of blood orange and passion fruit upfront, with added key lime aromas and subtle spice with scents of strawberries at the close of the nose. The palate flavors follow the nose with a nicely balanced mouthfeel. Bright acid plays with enjoyable fruit flavors on the opening of the palate. Fresh strawberries and blood orange exhibited upon first sip, lingering finish showcases passion fruit.
Food & Wine Pairing:
This wine is a delightful sipper on its own, and is also a beautiful complement to Antipasto, baked goat cheese, spicy chicken wings, all dishes that include turkey, crab cakes, prosciutto with melon or fruit, and smoked salmon or trout.
Suggested Retail: $12.99
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The Story
Richard Burnley is the managing partner of sales and marketing for Artisan Family of Wines. He and his wife Louise Spinelli have been in sales and marketing all of their business lives. Having received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, Richard has worked for wine and spirits leaders, such as Wilson Daniels, Cuvaison Winery, and Cabo Wabo Tequila. The wines that Richard has marketed and brought to market from case #1 have combined sales of over one million cases.
Jeffrey Miller is managing partner of vineyards and winemaking operations. Jeff is a former attorney who has become a very hands-on grower and subsequent winemaker. Jeff’s enthusiasm for winegrape growing and winemaking is unsurpassed. Along with his wife Beryl, he owns a small Napa Valley vineyard, and has 41 acres under cultivation in adjacent Suisun Valley. Because Jeff is growing Petite Sirah in Suisun Valley, Jeff joined PS I Love.
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