The Golden Vine - Tasting Notes

Wood Family Vineyards

2014 Syrah Bent Creek Vineyard Livermore Valley AVA

Bent Creek Vineyard

A breakthrough, lighter-style syrah, this wine matches visually with its luminous purple-garnet color. Primary aromas of meaty steak, manly leather and... A breakthrough, lighter-style syrah, this wine matches visually with its luminous purple-garnet color. Primary aromas of meaty steak, manly leather and tobacco are supported by ripe plum and curious black olive. Last night’s campfire tickles your nose, and cracked black peppercorn is a spicy conspirator. The flavors provide the rich savoriness of dark plums sprinkled with black pepper. The alcohol is subtle, and the acids are soft yet present. The finish ushers in dried plum flavor with a whisper of oak.

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Varietal:

Syrah

Wood Family Vineyards

2014 Cabernet Franc Sacchau vineyard Livermore Valley AVA

Sacchau vineyard

A deep ruby red, this wine is dark yet translucent. Plum and cassis provide hallmark fruit aromas. Earthy notes of wild flowers and chicory are punctuated... A deep ruby red, this wine is dark yet translucent. Plum and cassis provide hallmark fruit aromas. Earthy notes of wild flowers and chicory are punctuated by cracked black pepper. The palate is dominated by plum fruit and the texture is rich and velvety. Alcohol, tannins and acid levels are delightfully balanced, and the finish is filled with tart fruit and a touch of toasted oak.

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Varietal:

Cabernet Franc

Wood Family Vineyards

2014 Grenache Ghielmetti Estate Vineyard / Tesla Roads Livermore Valley AVA

Ghielmetti Estate Vineyard / Tesla Roads

This wine has a subdued garnet color that is quite translucent. Aromas of rainier cherries and strawberry jam deliver freshness, with cinnamon and earth... This wine has a subdued garnet color that is quite translucent. Aromas of rainier cherries and strawberry jam deliver freshness, with cinnamon and earth providing balmy undertones. Pungent tobacco and floral gardenia are yin-yang counterparts, where white and black pepper add spicy intrigue. The flavor is savory, reminiscent of a meaty cherry sauce, and the mouthwatering acidity is rounded out with smooth tannins. The warming finish is toasty.

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Varietal:

Grenache

Wood Family Vineyards

2013 Merlot One Oak Vineyard Livermore Valley AVA

One Oak Vineyard

An almost opaque, rich color of purple-red plums, this estate wine is uber-consistent year to year. Sweet black cherries are its hallmark. There is a pretty... An almost opaque, rich color of purple-red plums, this estate wine is uber-consistent year to year. Sweet black cherries are its hallmark. There is a pretty combination of floral greenery heightened by fresh carnation, with wet stone and cracked-black pepper adding depth and interest. The cherries continue on the palate with plum flavors joining the party. There is a pepper acidity that reminds me of a robust red-meat marinade. The wine has medium-sized, roughed-up tannins that have the quality of back-brushed velvet. The finish is bright and baptized by new oak.

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Merlot

Wood Family Vineyards

2014 Heart”Y”Wood Red Wine 3 Steves/ Sauchau/ Smith Ranch Livermore Valley AVA

3 Steves/ Sauchau/ Smith Ranch

The dark, purple-red color of this wine gives very little indication of the time it has spent in the bottle waiting for its debut. Finally, the aromas... The dark, purple-red color of this wine gives very little indication of the time it has spent in the bottle waiting for its debut. Finally, the aromas of ripe pomegranate and rare roast beef have been released to create intriguing, contrasting notes. Chicory coffee and spicy black pepper offer depth. The alcohol is present on the nose but is balanced nicely on the palate with bright plum and cherry flavors. A chewy texture is soothed by soft, round, tannins that seem to roll across the tongue. The wine is dry, and the acidity is balanced but prevalent.The finish is long and toasty.

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Varietal:

Red

Wood Family Vineyards

2014 Big Wood Zinfandel Raboli Vineyard Livermore Valley AVA

Raboli Vineyard

Dense, dark purple and mysteriously opaque, this wine greets you with black cherries and sweet olallieberries. You will sink into a pool of Mexican chocolate... Dense, dark purple and mysteriously opaque, this wine greets you with black cherries and sweet olallieberries. You will sink into a pool of Mexican chocolate with spicy black pepper accents as the toasted oak brings back memories of long nights spent front of the fireplace. The flavors are everything you expected – fresh, ripe berries tucked into velvety tannins with a delicate balance of acids and alcohol. The warm toasty oak finish seems to last forever.

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Varietal:

Zinfandel

Wood Family Vineyards

2014 Zinfandel/ “Muy Bueno” Raboli Vineyard Livermore Valley AVA

Raboli Vineyard

Rich deep purple and almost opaque, this wine has it all. It will transport you to a warm campfire where you are presented with a fresh-out-of-the-oven... Rich deep purple and almost opaque, this wine has it all. It will transport you to a warm campfire where you are presented with a fresh-out-of-the-oven berry hand pie. You will smell the forest greenery around you and welcome the aromas of fresh cream. It is all at once slightly sweet, moderately tangy, and delightfully spicy; even a touch of bitterness supplies welcome complexity. This wine is all about berries and black pepper with a long toasty finish to savor

Pairing Suggestion:

Varietal:

Zinfandel

Wood Family Vineyards

2015 Chardonnay “Para Mas Amigas” Collier Canyon/ Wisner Livermore Valley AVA

Collier Canyon/ Wisner

This year’s Chardonnay is intense yellow in color and has a rich viscosity. Subtle fruit aromas of Asian pear and Mandarin orange hover around the edges... This year’s Chardonnay is intense yellow in color and has a rich viscosity. Subtle fruit aromas of Asian pear and Mandarin orange hover around the edges as non-fruit aromas take the forefront. Nuts like cashew and Brazil contribute to the exotic character, and wet stone offers a mineral aspect. Movie-butter popcorn aroma provides a welcome plushness. The palate follows the aromatics with its’ pear and nut flavors, and the mouth feel is luscious. The wine has moderate acidity and med-high alcohol. The finish is toasty and long.

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