Changing winemakers is never easy. After all, business is predicated first and foremost on producing outstanding wines that satisfy our customers each and every vintage. So when Bill
Knuttel, winemaker since 2003, decided to pursue his consulting business, the search was on. And what an exhaustive search it was! In fact, a good chunk of 2011 was spent looking for the next great Dry Creek Vineyard winemaker. They spent hundreds of hours in interviews, tastings, discussions, more interviews, fact checking, pondering…you get the idea. And finally, Tim Bell rose to the top of the list.
Tasting two of his new releases, we were impressed by value and quality and think you will be too.
2 0 1 1 DRY CH E N I N BL A N C – CL A R K S B U R G
HISTORY
For more than 25 years, we have sourced fruit from the Clarksburg appellation in the
Sacramento Delta. This area has provided us with delicious Chenin Blanc grapes that express our Loire Valley inspired roots. Most California vintners have given up on
Chenin Blanc. We believe this delicious varietal has a rightful place at the table. It is
the perfect aperitif wine, extremely versatile and food friendly, making it one of our
most beloved wines.
GROWING SEASON
The 2011 season was fraught with many weather related challenges. Our viticulture
team however, was up to the task; carefully managing the vineyard and providing us
fruit with near perfect ripeness levels. Winter rains were plentiful and lasted well
into the late spring and early summer. The summer growing season was unseasonably cool. Harvest was temperate and canopy management was a key to achieve optimal ripeness in the grapes. Unwelcome rains came later into harvest – fortunately, much of our fruit was already picked and safely at the winery.
Since their founding in 1972, Dry Creek has produced a wonderfully crisp, incredibly
refreshing dry Chenin Blanc. The 2011 vintage perfectly represents their love for this
wonderful grape variety. Fragrant aromas of pineapple, white peach, melon and citrus
leap from the glass. A few swirls reveal an underlying minerality, even some chalky
notes, which are an ode to the variety’s Loire Valley roots. The palate expresses soft
apple characters, zesty citrus and a wonderful sense of balance and freshness. A perfect patio sipper, Chenin Blanc is summertime in a bottle!
RE L E A S E DAT E Apr i l 2012
BL E N D 100% Chenin Blanc
AP P E L L AT I O N Clarksburg
HA RV E S T DAT E S September 13, 2011
AL C O H O L 12.5%
RE S I D UA L SUG A R 0.6% (Dry)
FERMENTATION Stainless steel fermented at an average of 55˚F for
approximately 30 days
pH 3. 53
TA 0.63g/100mL
SOILS Flat, sandy delta soil
VI N E AG E 10 years on average
YI E L DS 6-7 tons per acre
SRP: $12
Copyright 2012 By Punchin International. All Rights Reserved.
2 0 1 1 FU MÉ BL A N C – SO N O M A CO U N T Y
HISTORY
Since 1972, we have produced Fumé Blanc – a wine at the heart and soul of our family winery. Modeled after the classic wines from the Loire Valley in France, our stainless steel fermented, no oak style Fumé Blanc is crisp, balanced and immediately drinkable. Winery founder David Stare was the first vintner to plant Sauvignon Blanc in the Dry Creek Valley, and we are proud to carry his legacy forward in producing this classic, dry white wine.
GROWING SEASON
The 2011 season was fraught with many weather related challenges. Our viticulture team however, was up to the task, carefully managing the vineyard and providing us fruit with near perfect ripeness levels. Winter rains were plentiful and lasted well into the late spring and early summer. The summer growing season was unseasonably cool. Harvest was temperate and canopy management was key to achieve optimal ripeness in the grapes. Unwelcome rains came later into harvest – fortunately, much of our sauvignon blanc grapes were already picked and safely at the winery.
The 2011 Fumé Blanc displays an aromatic symphony that leaves one pondering the
truly magical characters of the Sauvignon Blanc varietal. The initial aromas fill the
senses with a cacophony of pungent grassy, kaffir lime, citrus, white pepper and classic olive aromas. The palate is framed by refreshing citrus and mineral notes that mingle in wonderful harmony with Meyer lemon, Granny Smith apple and orange zest flavors.The grassy elements repeat on the finish with acidity that is both refreshing and brisk.This incredible new vintage is an ode to their founding – a wine that is classically styled and immediately food friendly at an unbelievably fair price.
SRP: $14
RE L E A S E DATE Fe b rua r y 2012
AP P E L L AT I O N Sonoma County
HA RV E S T DAT E S September 16 – October 4, 2011
AL C O H O L 13.5%
BR I X Average 22.5
FERMENTATION
Stainless steel fermented at an average of 52˚F for about 30
days.
p H 3.37
TA .62g/100mL
SOILS A combination of sand and clay soils, mostly valley floor vineyards
VI N E AG E 12 years on average
YI E L DS About 5 tons per acre
RESIDUAL SUGAR Dry
