Central Valley Wine-Wine Tasting before Fresno Fire Chief's Foundation Benefit Dinner

2004 Hook & Ladder Cabernet Sauvignon Russian River Valley, Estate Grown

Elegant, complex and intensely flavored. Our estate Cabernet developed into a moderately structured wine with velvet tannins and a core of acidity that creates a wine destined to improve a meal. Aromas of cassis, black currant, leather and pipe tobacco leads into a mix of dark fruit flavors with prominent sweet herb, mint and mocha.

2004 Climbing Cabernet

This wine has lovely intense red color. The aroma shows good berry fruit characters and great complexity. This follows through to the palate with integrated oak, an intense palate, great length and firm tannins. It is drinking really well now, but will also reward careful cellaring for up to 10 years.

2003 Mantra Cabernet

This wine reflects the best characteristics of both our Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley Vineyards. The Alexander Valley fruit contributes the soft supple forward palate full of fruit characteristics while the Dry Creek Valley fruit adds notes of structure and mineral to the finish. This wine has a dark purple/crimson color with aromas of fresh baked blackberry pie, currant preserves, honeysuckle and vanilla. On the palate it wine is soft and seductive with a well-structured finish. Flavors of blueberry and kirsch are exhibited in this wine.

2004 Frias Cabernet

Spring Mountain-Aromas of dried black currant, just ripe black skinned/red flesh plums, and ripe cherries are complemented by hints of wet stone and spearmint. On the palate the wine is tightly wound, with a solid tannin structure and balancing acidity. The second sip fills the mouth with the wines bounty of fruit. The spice and earth characteristics come through on the long finish. While the wine is showing well now, several years in the bottle will reveal the wine's true complexity and lushness.

2004 Bennett Lane Maximus

The blend on the 2005 Maximus is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 11% Syrah. The wine opens with aromas of dark cocoa, plum, ripe black cherry and subtle hints of vanilla. On the palate the wine displays flavors of black cherry, plum, blueberry and subtle layers of cinnamon, nutmeg and cedar. With elegant, velvety tannins that enhance the mouthfeel, the wine has a long fruit driven finish and pairs well with practically everything.