Willowcroft Albarino - 2019

Willowcroft Cabernet Franc is made from 75% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Chambourcin and 4% Petit Verdot. This is a blend of clones from Bordeaux and the Loire Valley. 
This is planted on silty loam soils. 
Harvested from home Vineyards on Sept 23rd 2015 (brix 23.9). 
Malo-Lactic fermentation.
Fermented and aged for 12 months in a mix of French, Hungarian and American Oak barrels.
It was slightly filtered before bottling.

Marea Albarino  is made from 100% Albariño

This 100% Albarino is produced from fruits grown in Kristy Vineyard, on the western bench overlooking the Salinas River on broken sediment of ancient sea beds. Kristy is special because Albarino in the vineyard reaches full phenological ripeness at low potential alcohol and natural, bright acidity. Cold fermented in stainless steel for aromatic intensity.
Bright, fresh and crisp with notes of lemon curd and tangerine. On the palate it shows elegant texture and bright acidity on the finish.

Picked under 22 brix, 2/3 whole cluster pressed, 1/3 destemmed and left on skins for two days. Aged on the lees for four months and then sterile filtered.

Pairs with oysters, grilled fish, spicy cuisines.

Xavier Vignon Lirac Rouge is made from 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah.

Ripe fruit, ranging from raspberries and cherries to hints of stone fruit. Yet, it's not over the top or simply fruity. This full-bodied wine adds hints of leather, garrigue and licorice along the way, evolving from creamy to velvety on the palate and through the lasting finish.

Pairs with lamb Tagine with dry fruits - Duck breast fillet with green pepper sauce - BBQ Prime rib of beef.

Review:

"An 80-20 blend of Grenache and Syrah, Vignon's 2019 Lirac is drawn from multiple parcels with galets roulés over clay soils. Roughly one-third went into oak, while the rest stayed in tank. It may be the most complex of the various Vignon "Signature" offerings, marrying hints of garrigue and licorice with mixed berries and hints of oak. It's medium to full-bodied, silky and forward, with the same lip-smacking drinkability factor that marks all of Vignon's wines on the finish. - Joe Czerwinski"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (September 2020) 92 pts

Full-bodied elegant red wine with nuances of rich berry fruit & soft oak on the finish. Our pinnacle estate red is meticulously blended by a professional panel of respected palates.

Willowcroft Assemblage Select is made from 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Petit Verdot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot. 

Malo-Lactic fermentation.
Fermented and aged for 18 months in a mix of French and American Oak barrels.
It was slightly filtered before bottling.

This Petit Verdot was originally planted to be a blending component, but the end result was so delicious, it has been bottled as a "single varietal".

Deep color, intense flavor.

Willowcroft Petit Verdot 82% Petit Verdot and 18% Merlot.
Planted on silty Loam soils.
Malo-Lactic fermentation.
Fermented and aged for 12 months in French, Hungarian and American Oak barrels.
It was slightly filtered before bottling.

Good presentation of the floral notes of the Muscat ottonel with the Riesling. These 2 grape varietals are complementing each others bringing some acidity and some rich fruit and floral flavors. 

A very small residual sugar of 0.7% is kept for balance.

Willowcroft Riesling Muscat-Ottonel is made from 66% Riesling and 34% Muscat-Ottonel grapes grown on silty loam soils.
Average age of the vines is 30 years old.
No Malo-Lactic fermentation in order to preserve a good acidity and some freshness.
Fermented and aged for 7 months in Stainless steel tanks.
It was slightly filtered before bottling.