SPRING 2007 NEWSLETTER:

The vineyard has woken up from its winter's rest. Budbreak has been later than usual and now the shoots are growing and tiny bunches have revealed themselves. We do hope that nature will treat us with kindness and we will be rewarded with a bountiful 2007 harvest.

2006 WINES IN BARREL:
We have already begun the intricate and, at times, intense blending process to create our finished 2006 wines. We harvest at the peak of perfection, vinifying each block and clone separately using up to 5 types of French barrels. Each individual lot of wine, with its unique characteristics provides a broad palate of aromas, flavors, and structural elements. We smell, taste and discuss the numerous combination of blends until we are completely satisified that the wines will be the very best we have to offer.

We are pleased to offer you the following 2007 Spring Releases:

2004 PINOT NOIR, Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast                             91 PTS: WINE SPECTATOR
"Fragrant, spice, wild berry, black cherry and floral notes. Intense yet supple, polished and elegant, ending with a delicate fruity aftertaste that lingers. Drink now through 2011.-J.L."

TASTING NOTES: Soaring aromatics of bright black cherry, blackberry and raspberry are graced with notes of cola, sandalwood and delicate tea rose petals with just a hint of vanilla.  The revealing entry entices with vibrant, ripe black fruits that are perfectly balanced by the finely structured tannins. The smoothly textured finish maintains the elegance and finesse that defines this expressive Pinot Noir.  $39

2004 PINOT NOIR RESERVE, Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast            92 PTS:  WINE SPECTATOR
"Deep and complex, with wonderful earth, clay, spice and earthy berry flavors that become more expansive on the palate, with dense, chewy currant, mineral and anise. Ends with a long finish and ample tannins. Drink now through 2012. -J.L."

TASTING NOTES: Our 2004 Reserve Pinot has a deep, opulent ruby hue and is the most substantial, intense Fort Ross Vineyard Pinot Noir to date. Generous aromas of dense wild bramble berries and currants are perfumed by hints of black tea and a touch of exotic spices. The firmly structured tannins elegantly support the concentrated tiers of ripe raspberry, black cherry and cola, and will allow this wine to age rather gracefully.  The velvety, complex finish seems to linger endlessly on the palate.  $49

We decided to celebrate the Wine Spectator giving us 92 Points for the 2004 Pinot Noir Reserve and are offering a Pre-Release to our friends on the Mailing List for a limited time. We will be removing it from our website on April 15, until its actual release date later this year. So you should hurry on this one!

2003 SYMPOSIUM, PINOT NOIR,  Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast     92 PTS: WINE SPECTATOR
"Ripe, plush and deep, with complex plum, blackberry and wild berry fruit that's supple and polished, finishing with a long, intense aftertaste that keeps the fruit at the forefront. Drink now through 2011. -J.L."

TASTING NOTES: The touch of Pinotage (4%) added to the Pinot Noir (96%) intensifies the alluring deep, ruby hue and adds density and complexity. Enticing aromas of vivid bright cherry mingle with tiers of fragrant rose petals, dusty cedar and black tea notes. Boldly concentrated, with a core of dark cherry, black raspberry and boysenberry fruit, with hints of spicy sandalwood that echo through the lingering finish. Symposium is a generous, well-structured wine with the consistent minerality of all Fort Ross wines. $32

2003 PINOTAGE Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast                                 90 PTS: ANTHONY DIAS BLUE
"Dense and spicy with deep, ripe and fleshy plum and berry flavors. Might just be the best Pinotage anywhere."-Patterson's Beverage Journal. Oct, 2006

TASTING NOTES: While Pinotage shares many traits with Pinot Noir, there is an earthy brambleness that distinguishes it from its more famous cousin.  Aromas dense with ripe loganberry, roses and underlying hints of wet-earth greet you.  This seductive deeply hued Pinotage has a concentrated depth of luscious flavors that envelop the palate.  Tiers of ripe blackberry,  rose petals and a hint of smoke are enhanced by the spicy flavors that carry through to the lengthy, integrated finish of this complex and structured wine. Its appealingly bold textural components are the perfect accompaniment to hearty meals, spicy foods and grilled meats.  $32

Please visit our website www.fortrossvineyard.com where you can purchase these wines as well as our other offerings, including a few from our Library Collection. We do encourage you to order quickly as we sold out of our 2003 Pinot Noir in record time. We are also offering a limited 10% discount on full case orders, to our mailing list customers.