ARNEIS, ‘MOLTO BENNI’ MENDOCINO

To date this is the only white varietal under the Luddite Vineyard banner. As you may guess from the red wines I make, I have more than a passing interest in esoterica. The Arneis grape is originally from Piedmont Italy where it is enjoying something of a renaissance. It has very subtle aromatics of almonds and citrus, a fairly soft texture and a full but clean finish. The 2003 was bottled May 1st and was gone by the 1st of June. I’ll let you know how the 2004 turns out.

ROSE OFCARIGNANE

I really like rose. It is such an essential part of summer and fits with just about every casual dinning scenario. I try to make the wine in more of the Mediterranean style, showing almost a savory note to balance the fruit. The 2003 came from Rick Trimble’s 60 year old, dry-farmed-organic vineyard in Hopland. The wine was fermented in neutral oak and aged on its lees for four months. It is one of only a handful of unfiltered roses made in the world, let alone California.

CABERNET FRANC AND ‘BORDEAUX’ BLENDS

I must admit that I’m a little surprised at my interest in these varieties, being such a non-mainstream winemaker. But I can’t help but be drawn to the more elegant expressions of Cabernet et al. I will have for release in late ’04 or early ’05 two new wines. First is a pure Cabernet Franc from the Thalia vineyard. This vineyard is just a stones throw outside of the Diamond Mountain District on the Napa-Sonoma border. It is a very concentrated yet supple wine, like a riper style of Chinon. The next is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot from the Sanel Valley Vineyard at the base of Duncan’s Peak in Hopland. It is one of the most floral and elegant expressions of Cabernet that I have seen to date. Like my 2001 Diamond Mountain they are wines that are accessible young due to their fine tannins, but should age gracefully for many years.