THE VILLAIN, 2007 | THE UNKNOWN, 2007 | JEMROSE VINEYARD, 2007
VALENTI RANCH, 2007 | MA FILLE, 2008

THE VILLAIN, 2007
Syrah, Mendocino County
145 cases produced

SHANE'S NOTES
An attack of forest floor, white pepper, brine, cola, bacon fat, and blackberries flows from the glass immediately. The wine's dark black hue coats the glass as hints of pine needles, sea shells, currant, blueberries, and graphite explode through the mid-palate. Driven by rustic tannins and subversive acidity, the Villain provides robust texture and surprising balance. Neither elegant nor aggressive, the Villain confounds you with its grace.

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THE UNKNOWN, 2007
Syrah, Sonoma County
220 cases produced

SHANE'S NOTES
Freakishly dark: think magenta tinged squid ink. Intense raspberry, boysenberry, kirsch, slate, and violets explode upon opening. A luscious core is accentuated with dark chocolate, plum, white pepper, espresso, and crème de cassis. Without notice, firm tannins mingle with succulent acidity and shoot through the mid-palate. A lasting finish leaves your palate seduced.

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JEMROSE VINEYARD, 2007
Syrah, Bennett Valley
70 cases produced

SHANE'S NOTES
A swirl of white pepper leads into chocolate-covered cherries, boysenberries, crème brulee, wet stone, and cured meats. Elegant and subtle, sustaining a vibrant purple/black essence, the backbone of dusty tannins supports a mid-palate of bright red fruits, leather, and violets. Lasting impressions of juicy acidity linger with accents of mineral and crushed blueberries.

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VALENTI RANCH, 2007
Syrah, Anderson Valley
70 cases produced

SHANE'S NOTES
A Northern Rhône lovers wine. With the glass at arm's length, a hearty dose of tobacco, white pepper, black olives, green peppercorn, blackberries, and venison emerge. This is a spice driven wine. Like its 2006 predecessor, it looks like motor-oil. Blueberries and cassis fill the mid-palate and give way to muscular tannins and focused acidity. Hints of coffee bean, marrow, and cigar box linger through the palate and reverberate long after the first sip.

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MA FILLE, 2008
Rosé, Sonoma County
250 cases produced

SHANE'S NOTES
Flashes of citrus, tangerine, papaya, watermelon, and strawberries infuse a playful wine. Vibrant acidity and candied fruits intermingle in the mid-palate. Ma Fille finishes with zest intertwined with a core of pomegranate, melon, and peach.

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