Napa Redwoods Estate
Castle Rock Vineyard was originally purchased in 1880 by Nicholas Streich, a German immigrant who brought his two oldest sons with him to farm the land for grapes and to make wine. Ahead of their time, the Streich’s, along with the assistance of winemaker Rudolf Jordan, were among the first to experiment with cultured yeast and temperature to control fermentation. They made and distributed wine under the Castle Rock Vineyard label until Prohibition. Castle Rock Vineyard is located on the slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, due west of the town of Napa, in the heart of the Mount Veeder Appellation. The 35 acres of steep, hillside vineyards were replanted by the Yates’ family in the early 1980s to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. www.NapaRedwoodEstate.com
2002 Alden Perry Reserve
Winemaking, Vineyards & Growing Season:
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot. At an average elevation of over 1,100 feet, the site, with its combination of microclimates and volcanic soils, produces incredible grapes with intense fruit flavors. A temperate growing season ensures thorough ripening and uncommonly
rich, concentrated fruit flavors. Hand-farmed terraces, small yields, and a near-perfect combination of climate, rock, and soils contribute to the exceptional quality of the grapes. Aged 18 months in 40% new French oak.
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Castle Rock Vineyard
Winemaking, Vineyards & Growing Season:
89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot. At an average elevation of over 1,100 feet, the site, with its combination of microclimates and volcanic soils, produces incredible grapes with intense fruit flavors. A temperate growing season ensures thorough ripening and uncommonly rich, concentrated fruit flavors. Hand-farmed terraces, small yields, and a near-perfect combination of climate, rock, and soils contribute to the exceptional quality of the grapes. Aged 18 months in 35% new French oak.
2004 Cabernet Franc, Castle Rock Vineyard
Winemaking, Vineyards & Growing Season:
89% Cabernet Franc, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2004 vintage is one of the really great vintages for Napa mountain appellations. Yates Family produced perfectly ripened grapes that were delicious right off the vine. While the yields were very low, the quality of the wines is enormously high. At an average elevation of over 1,100 feet, the site, with its combination of microclimates and volcanic soils, produces incredible grapes with intense fruit flavors. A temperate growing season ensures thorough ripening and uncommonly rich, concentrated fruit flavors. Hand-farmed terraces, small yields, and a near-perfect combination of climate, rock, and soils contribute to the exceptional quality of the grapes. Aged 18 months in 40% new French oak ; bottled June 2006. Only 139 cases made.
Score: 89. "Softer and gentler than a Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine, from one of the best but least known of Napa's mountain appellations, offers a wealth of oak-influenced cherry flavors. It finishes dry and spicy and complex."
2001 Merlot, Castle Rock Vineyard
Winemaking, Vineyards & Growing Season:
75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. While the yields were very low, the quality of the wines is enormously high. At an average elevation of over 1,100 feet, the site, with its combination of microclimates and volcanic soils, produces incredible grapes with intense fruit flavors. A temperate growing season ensures thorough ripening and uncommonly rich, concentrated fruit flavors. Hand-farmed terraces, small yields, and a near-perfect combination of climate, rock, and soils contribute to the exceptional quality of the grapes. Aged 18 months in 30% new French oak; bottled May 2003.
Score: 90. "This well-crafted Merlot has pleasant flavors of plums, blackberries and coffee that are wrapped in smooth tannins. It is very dry, and feels round and supple in the mouth. There are some less ripe herbal flavors that limit ageability, but it's a good table wine."