New Releases Now Available
Estate Bottled Russian River 2003 Reserve Syrah
A fall 2005 Cellar Club Selection, the 2003 Estate
Bottled Reserve Syrah, was produced from a selection of barrels that
showed the best aging potential. The wine reflects the exceptional
quality of grapes grown on our hillside estate vineyards. The color
is dark violet and the aromas range from cherry to blackberry with
peppery and smoky accents. On the palate the wine is rich and
balanced with a long, jammy finish. Drinkable now, this wine will
mature gracefully over the next 8-to-10 years as the generous
tannins continue to soften.
- Harvested September 2003
- Available August 2005
- 3.1 tons/ acre
- 373 cases produced
- $30.00/Bottle
Catie's Corner Russian River 2004 Viognier
Like our past vintages, the 2004 was produced from
grapes grown at Catie’s Corner Vineyard in the Russian River Valley.
Viognier (pronounced V-Own-Yeah) is an enjoyable white wine
alternative whose grapes have their origin in the Rhone Valley
Appellation of Condrieu and Chateau Grillet in France. Our 2004
Viognier has complex nose of apricot, peach, pear and wildflowers.
The mouth feel is harmoniously balanced between richness and lively
acidity. The finish is marked by long-lasting flavors reflecting the
fruity and floral aromas. This is the perfect wine to serve slightly
chilled with spicy and creamy foods or just to sip on a hot summer
day.Try our Syrah paired with BBQ marinated tri-tip roast, game
birds, lamb, beef stew or spicy foods (chili, exotic Asian or
Indian). Syrah is also a great food companion to chocolate.
- Harvested September 2004
- Available August 2005
- 2.8 tons/acre
- 392 cases produced
- $27.00/bottle
More Awards
Well, we’ve done it again. These wines have received the following
awards and/or recognition:
2003 Catie's Corner Viognier
- Silver Medal—North of the Gate Wine Competition,
April 2005
- Silver Medal—Pacific Rim International Competition,
March 2005
2002 Russian River Zinfandel
- Double Gold Medal—Tasters Guild International, May
2005
- Gold Medal—Jerry Mead's New World Wine Competition,
February 2005
- Silver Medal—Pacific Rim International Wine
Competition, March 2005
2002 Dry Creek Cabernet
- Gold Medal—San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition,
February 2005
- Gold Medal—Grand Harvest Awards, February 2005
- Silver Medal—Tasters Guild International, May 2005
2003 Dry Creek Zinfandel
- Gold Medal—Tasters Guild International, May 2005
2003 Estate Bottled Russian River Syrah
- Gold Medal—Tasters Guild International, May 2005
2003 Estate Bottled Russian River Reserve Syrah
- Silver Medal—Orange County Fair, June 2005
Viognier Recommended Wine
by Gourmet Magazine
In the June 2005 issue of Gourmet Magazine in the article “Drinks Wine Advice,” our 2003 Catie’s Corner Viognier
(sold out) is one of the recommended wines. The 2004 Catie’s Corner Viognier will be released August 13.
Past Newsletters
Spring 2005
2003 Petite Sirah, 2003 Russian River Estate Bottled Syrah, Awards
Winter 2005
2002 Dry Creek Cabernet, 2003 Russian River Chardonnay
Fall 2004 2002 Russian River Zinfandel
Summer 2004 Estate Bottled
Russian River 2002 Reserve Syrah, Catie's Corner Russian River 2003 Viognier, Simple Steps to Decanting
Spring 2004 30th Anniversary of Christopher Creek Winery, 2002 Estate Bottled Syrah, 2002 Petite Sirah
Winter 2003 2001 Dry
Creek Cabernet, 2002 Russian River Chardonnay
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Upcoming Events
Saddle Up for the Syrah Stampede
Saturday, August 13
11 am-5 pm
Bring your family and friends to our eighth annual
Syrah Stampede. Barrel sample our 2004 Finlay’s Vineyard Dry Creek
Cabernet and our 2004 Estate Bottled Russian River Reserve Syrah.
This will be the last day to order futures of these wines. Our 2004
Catie’s Corner Russian River Viognier and the 2003 Estate Bottled
Russian River Reserve Syrah will be released.
So, saddle up partner and join us at the Stampede and enjoy fine
wines, wine specials and BBQ ranch food.
No charge. No reservations required.
Fall for Zin
Saturday, October 29
11 am-5 pm
On what will surely be a beautiful Autumn Day in the
wine country, join us for our third annual Fall for Zin event,
celebrating our best of class-gold medal winning Zinfandels. We will
taste and offer for sale several vintages of our dueling Zins, the
Russian River versus the Dry Creek as well as hearty fall fare. So,
stop by during the Halloween weekend and see if there are any tricks
or treats we might have up our sleeves.
No charge. No reservations required.
Older Vintage Week
Friday, November 18-Sunday, November 27
Just in time for the holidays! Visit the winery and
enjoy tasting and purchasing some of our older vintages and large
format bottles of Christopher Creek wines. We will also have
available our Petite Sirah Port. Why not visit and do your holiday
sopping with us. (We will be closed Thanksgiving Day, but will be
open 11 am to 5 pm daily.)
Winemaker Dinners
James Beard House, New York
On Thursday, August 11, at a Winemaker Dinner at The
James Beard House in New York City, the extraordinary cuisine of
Chef Jon Bonnell of Bonnell’s Restaurant in TX, will be paired with
Christopher Creek wines. For reservations call 212-627-2308.
Wines to Drink Now!
Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 1998-2000
The 1998 Best of Show and multiple Gold Medal winner 1999 and 2000—both of which are both Gold Medal
winners—should be drunk now to preserve the fruit and spicy character of the wine. Pair with Italian food and enjoy.
Russian River Estate Bottled Petite Sirah 1993, 1995, 1997
In September 2004, we tasted the 1993, 1995 and 1997 vintages and recommend drinking them now. Further aging will not
improve the wine. The tannins have softened nicely and the fruit shines. Enjoy drinking Petite with game birds, venison, lamb, beef or tuna.
Russian River Syrah 1991-1993 and 1996-1998
Our Syrahs generally age well but each vintage has a different aging potential. To continue to enjoy the fruit, drink
these wines now to complement lamb, spicy food, port and some Asian infusion dishes. Always keep Syrah away from the sun and heat;
serve at room temperature. We recently tasted the 1998 Syrah and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the wine. It is
definitely European in character: gamey, mineral-like with plenty of black cherry fruit on the palate.
Catie’s Corner Russian River Viognier 1999-2002
Viognier should be drunk young to enjoy the apricot, peach and pear fruit exhibited by this wine. Drink these wines now.
Serve slightly chilled before dinner aperitif, with seafood or spicy Asian dishes.
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Summer
2005