Winemaker's Notes:

A deep garnet color, this wine features aromas of violets, morello cherries, cloves and a hint of blackberries. Soft, balanced, silky and smooth on the palate, this is a medium bodied wine that shows mouthfilling autumn berry flavors. The long finish reflects hints of blackberries married with subtle new American and French oak flavors to make a complete and delicious wine.

The fruit was handpicked at optimum ripeness from the original four acre Sally's Paddock Vineyard. It was then de-stemmed and crushed into open vats for fermentation, using wild yeast ferments, and plunged two to three times daily. After four to six days, it was then small basket pressed, settled, and racked to new American and French oak, in which it sat for 18 months. About 60% is new oak and the remainder is one year old oak.

Reviews:

“ 91 Points.
Inky purple. Ecotically perfumed bouquet of blackberry, blackcurrant, candied licorice, graphite and musky underbush. Picks up espresso and black cardamom scents with air, which add to the wild, complex personality. Deep and creamy, with sweet dark berry preserve flavors, solid tannic grip and a late jolt of anise. Finishes with excellent cling and noteworthy persistence, the dark berries echoing. ” — Stephen Tanzer Jul/Aug 2008

“ 93 Points.
The 2006 Sally's Paddock was aged for 24 months in 60% new French and American Oak. Deep garnet in color, it reveals an alluring bouquet of violets, spice box, especially clove and cinnamon, black cherry, and blackberry. This is followed by medium-bodied, elegant wine with a velvety texture, great concentration and depth, well-concealed tannins, and a very long finish. It will reward 6-8 years of cellaring and offer prime drinking from 2015 to 1036. ” — Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate