vicarious |ker-e-?s, v?-|

adjective


experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person (or that person on wine)

VICARIOUS is the wine that, as a winemaker, is the most fun and challenging to produce due to the fact that in blending, it will constantly be a moving target. Relatively speaking, I am a young winemaker and am completely love drunk on making wine, trying new varieties, new vineyards, and new techniques. I have enjoyed making Cabernets from Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, and Coombsville. Also, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Viognier... all of which from great vineyards. Because of this, VICARIOUS allows me a place to be a little more selective and display my skills in blending to produce an elegant, smooth, and more food-friendly wine for my friends and I to drink in a more casual setting.


The 2005 vintage blended a mere 100 cases of wine.

2007 Vicarious Napa Valley Rosé

In the production of luxury level red wines, a winemaker will often preform a saigner (French word meaning "to bleed" pronounced sEEn-yAy) which is when a percentage of the juice from freshly crushed red grapes is drawn away from the skins almost immediately after being crushed so that the ratio of skin to juice is higher, therefore resulting in a more concentrated red wine. This bled juice can be used to create a pink, or rose wine in a variety of different styles... some being semi sweet, and others being dry, etc.

Vicarious rose is saigner from a collection of the most prestigious vineyards in the Napa Valley. Some of which include Stagecoach, To Kalon, Dr. Crane, Rocca, Boyd, Naggier, and Atlas Peak. This rose is fermented to dryness although Viognier is added to give the aromatics a delicate floral note hinting at sweetness. Flavors of rhubarb cobbler dominate the palate while a perfect balance of richness and acidity allow this wine its long and elegant finish. Perfect as an aperitif or for leisurely sipping on a sunny day. Only 75 cases of the 2007 vintage were produced.

antithesis | an-'ti-th?-s?s |

noun ( pl. -ses |-sez|)

A person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.

In this instance, AntithesiS is a word that describes and relates to both the winemaker and the wine itself. My path and story as a winemaker and vintner is the opposite of many of my fellow vintners stories that you will hear. AntithesiS is unique and is made in a manner that is the opposite of traditional vinification. The result is the Antithesis of an ordinary wine.

Color: DARK
Aromatics: Exotic
Entry: Overwhelming
Flavor: Dark Jammy Red & Black Berry, Cedar, Spice
Texture: Lush & Polished
Finish: Obvious & Long

A fortunate stroke of serendipity can be credited for revealing to me the secret to producing AntithesiS. It is truly unique and I eagerly look forward to recreating this wine for many years to come.

Sadly, only 75 cases were produced of its first vintage, 2006.

2007 Modus Operandi Sauvignon Blanc

Rutherford, Napa Valley

With even basic Sauvignon Blanc becoming more and more difficult to come by in the Napa Valley, I am extremely delighted to be one of the few producers lucky enough to buy fruit from a vineyard that consistently shows how far above average it really is. And to sweeten the pot... its from Rutherford and its grown organically!

Those of you who have had this Sauvignon Blanc and have tasted with me know that a lot of thought goes into making it. Its character is profound and distinct.... by design. Specific yeast strains are selected to work together in the fermentation... each carrying out specific reactions that are dependent upon each other for the desired end product. To add complexity, native yeast is allowed to ferment a few barrels for blending. The result is a wine that has the best qualities of both New Zealand and Napa Valley. The 2007 vintage leans more to the Napa side in its weight and tropical notes but the most distinctive attribute to this wine are the impressively explosive aromatics. This wine is special and I'll be eagerly making it for as long as I can.

220 cases of the 2007 vintage were produced.

2004 Modus Operandi Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

The first observation with this wine is the impressive color of dark garnet bleeding to red. Immediately, the aromatics take over indicating the palate of what is to come. Brambly black and red fruit such as blackberry and cassis jump out of the glass. On the palate, a light touch of tobacco is an undertone to the elegant fruit, Asian spice and luscious mouth feel. Tannins are soft, polished, and subtle. The finish is accented by Madagascar vanilla bean and a hint of sweet French oak.