The Shape of Things to Come

Aging comfortably in French oak barrels, our 2004 and 2005 wines are still in their youthful stages. Nonetheless, they are showing a fine definition of what the future holds in store for future collectors and drinkers. The following are our winemaker's notes from a recent tasting:

Grace Family Vineyards 2004
Quite rich and lushly textured, the wine is filled with chocolate, plum, spice, black cherry and cassis flavors that are all finding their place with layered elegance. The tannins from this vintage are smooth and silky, framing the finish in long, subtle, licorice-like embrace.

Grace Family Blank Vineyard 2004
Showing its distinctive menthol and spice character, our Blank Vineyard wine also displays intriguing cocoa and coffee notes. Blackberry and cassis flavors are also noteworthy, hinting at a complex and exciting release for next year.

Grace Family Vineyards 2005
Just a baby, our newest wine from the home vineyard is already packed with loads of complex, dark fruit flavors—the result of a long, sunny harvest season that led to excellent maturity for both this wine and our Blank Vineyard bottling as well. The tannins for the home vineyard wine are already lush and smooth, which leads us to believe that this vintage will be exceptional.

Grace Family Blank Vineyard 2005
Also benefiting from additional hang time this year, Blank Vineyard is tightly holding onto a rich tapestry of flavors and texture. Traditionally a bit slower to develop than our home vineyard, the wine is just starting to reveal itself, with hints of spice, dense black fruit and coffee notes at the fore. We're looking forward to more forays into the cellar as we watch this wine evolve.