New Releases
2003 Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
Our 2003 Finlay’s Vineyard Cabernet is produced from
grapes grown in red soils on the Eastern slopes of Bradford Mountain
overlooking Dry Creek Valley. The wine shows the characteristics of
a “serious Cab.” The vineyard was named after Finlay, the Rhodesian
Ridgeback who guards the vineyard from rabbits, turkeys, deer and
other invasive wild life. The vines he protects are over 30 years
old; these grapes produce wine with intense aromas and tastes of
blueberry, boysenberry, cassis and plum with spicy cedar and clove
overtones. The wine consists of 95% Cabernet, 5% Merlot with a field
blend of Cabernet Franc; it is aged for 18 months in French oak
barrels. The concentration and ample tannic structure should allow
for 8-to-10 years of bottle aging. Red meat dishes are the pairing
of choice for this Cabernet.
- Harvested September 2003
- Released January 2006
- 3.5 tons/acre
- Aged 18 months in French oak barrels
- 378 cases produced
- $30.00/bottle (Cellar Club price $24.00)
2004 Russian River Chardonnay
With a sense of harmony, elegance and Burgundian-style,
our 2004 Sapphire Hill Vineyard Chardonnay displays notes of fresh
pineapple, citrus and crisp green apple. Overtones of toast and
spice are the results of fermentation in French oak barrels.
The “Sur Lies” aging (i.e., the wine is left in contact with the
fine lees) and a partial malolactic fermentation provide fullness,
liveliness and a long-lasting finish that retains the aromatic
complexity of the nose and produces a round mouth feel.
Appreciate this food-friendly wine with salmon, oyster, risotto,
crab, lobster and scallops—or sip it as a reward after a long day.
- Harvested October 2004
- Released January 2006
- 2.0 tons/acre
- Aged 9 months in French oak barrels (1/3 new)
- 186 cases produced
- $23.00/bottle (Cellar Club price $18.40)
2005 Vintage Notes
by Chris Russi, winemaker
Christopher Creek has never experienced a vintage like 2005. We did not begin to harvest until September 22 and
ended November 10. The tonnage was a record. Every single vineyard lot was at least 20% above average and in some
cases 40%. I know you are asking, “Is the quality jeopardized with such a high quantity?” Not this year! As a matter
of fact, I believe this is potentially one of the best quality years for Christopher Creek wines.
Our Estate Bottled Reserve Petite Sirah was harvested between September 30 and October 15, with a
total of 18 tons. Analytically speaking, the numbers on the “must” were perfect, and the wine produced is exceptional.
The Petite Sirah has an intense, deep purple color and concentrated fruit-forward character of ripe blueberry and
blackberry. The Syrah is also bursting with plum and dark berry fruit, accompanied with its traditional gamy varietal character.
The Viognier from Catie’s Corner was harvested on September 20. I am extremely happy with its fresh
floral nose, peach and apricot fruit and citrus-like crispness finish. The Sapphire Hill Vineyard Chardonnay was
harvested October 4. I have already begun monthly lees stirring on this promising wine.
It is my belief that this is one of the best years for Zinfandel at Christopher Creek. There
was
never any extremely high temperature day, allowing this thin-skinned variety to mature slowly on the vine without the
threat of burn or raisining. All four lots of our 2005 Zinfandels show extreme fruit concentration, rich tannins and
excellent balance.
To summarize, 2005 is a vintage of quality and quantity. It was a drawn out vintage due to perfect
weather conditions—no days above 98 degrees. I am extremely excited about this year’s wines, even going so far as to
claim this the best vintage of the decade. But, only time will tell!
Futures Available for 2005 Wines
If you have never participated in our
Futures program, now is the time. By doing so, you
guarantee the availability of your favorite Christopher Creek wine. And, if you purchase Futures of the
2005 vintage now, you will receive a 30% discount. Visit us to taste the Russian Estate Bottled Reserve
Petite Sirah, Estate Bottled Syrah and Dry Creek Zinfandel during Barrel Tasting Weekend, March 3-5, 2006.
The 2005 year was exceptional—the fruit ripened slowly, allowing the wine to develop incredible sensory
characteristics. Call us at 707-431-8243 to place an order.
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Upcoming Events
Russian River Wine Road Annual Barrel Tasting Weekend
Friday, March 3 through Sunday, March 5
10 am–5 pm
The annual Barrel Tasting Weekend is rolling around
again. Visit 100 wineries and taste wine from their 2005 barrels,
including those of Christopher Creek. We will be open 10 am–5 pm all
three days. Come by to sample our 2005 Russian River Estate Bottled
Reserve Petite Sirah, Estate Bottled Syrah and Dry Creek Zinfandel
from the barrel. Futures will be available for purchase of these
wines. BBQ sausages will be served on Saturday and Sunday. Bring
your own glass or purchase a logo glass at any participating winery.
Come early to avoid the crowds—either way, be sure to visit us. We
are sure you will agree that 2005 appears to be an exceptional year
in wine.
No charge. No reservations required.
Syrah Fiesta
Saturday, May 6
11 am–5 pm
Once again we will pair Mexican food and our Syrahs
for a true Fiesta. Syrah is one of the few red wines that
compliments spicy foods. We will also barrel sample the 2005 Reserve
Syrah as well as our older vintage Syrahs.
No charge. No reservations required.
Syrah Stampede
Saturday, August 12
11 am–5 pm
We’re inviting you to saddle up once again for our
annual Stampede. As always, we will serve BBQ ranch food and taste
barrel samples of our Reserve Syrah and Cabernet. Our Viognier will
be released at this event as well.
The Wall Street Journal
Article
Christopher Creek’s Petite Sirah was reviewed on September 16, 2005,
in The Wall Street Journal’s weekly column, “Tastings,” by Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher.
They said:
“Christopher Creek Winery Petite Sirah 2003, Russian River Valley ($30). We tasted several
good Petite Sirahs on the trip, but this one was simply amazing. It's black as night, with a massive
nose of earth and ripe blackberry fruit, but, incredibly, the taste itself is soft and easy, with
remarkable restraint. It's smooth and beautifully made, like a soufflé of blackberries and bittersweet chocolate.”
Naturally, we were very pleased with this review. Unfortunately, we are sold out of the 2003
Estate Bottled Petite Sirah! However, all is not lost. Late last fall we introduced a new 2003 Petite
Sirah produced from grapes grown at the nearby 90-year-old McMinn vineyard and the 15-year-old Hoppe vineyard.
The grapes from the two vineyards—each with varying ages, elevation and sun exposure—added different
characteristics, producing an inky, jammy, blueberry, plum wine with rich tannins. If you enjoy our
Estate Petite Sirah, we think you will also enjoy this wine. There were only 230 cases produced and
just over a 100 cases remain.
$30.00/bottle (Cellar Club price
$24.00)
Replanting
In November 2005, the front two acres of Syrah vines at the winery were removed. Not to worry.
These two acres will be replanted this Spring with a French clone of Syrah. (A grapevine bears a commercial
crop after three years.) Does this mean we will be short of Syrah? Probably not. That’s because the two acre
block at the back of the winery was replanted four years ago and is now producing 3.5 tons/acre, which should
replace the production lost in removing the vines from the front block. If you wish to know more, feel free
to ask questions about our new planting when you visit the winery—and watch our vines grow!
Past Newsletters
Fall 2005
Christopher Creek in The Wall Street Journal, 2003 Russian River Zinfandel, 2001 Deux Barriques
Summer 2005
Estate Bottled Russian River 2003 Reserve Syrah, Catie's Corner Russian River 2004
Viognier, Awards
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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Winter
2006