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It’s hard for a farmer to ship off her grapes. After tending to them all season, nurturing and demanding the best from the vines, there’s finally something of substance and beauty, and then off it goes. But at Shake Ridge Vineyards we’re fortunate – the fruit goes off to talented wine makers who won’t manipulate the inherent characters, but will preserve the grapes’ essence.
The best of these is Ken Bernards at Ancien, who, fortunately, is Yorba’s wine maker. He’s like the father you always wanted – firm and directed, yet lets you make your own way in the world. Each Yorba lot is handcrafted, fermented in one-ton bins, which literally demands a ‘personal’ touch. Each wine receives gentle handling, individual attention and lots of tasting and contemplation before being put to ‘bed’ for barrel aging. What finally ends up in the bottle is a true expression of the grapes sent off the fall before.
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2005 Zinfandel : The Yorba Zinfandel is a blend of past and present. Grown both in the traditional head-trained style and on a modern trellis, old heritage selections from respected vineyards are managed with the best that technology offers. Developing into an elegant delight, the 2005 Yorba Zinfandel retains all the variety’s characteristic baking spices, lush boysenberry and dense blackberry fruit, layered with intriguing aromas, and complemented by a lingering finish.
Produced 327 cases Released September 2007 $28/bottle Purchase Now |
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2006 Barbera : Well established, the two Barbera blocks are developing character. A quartz-laden rocky soil and a generous, well-drained loam are providing complexity to the blend. The 2006 Yorba Barbera exhibits all the juicy blueberry, fresh herbs, plum, and cherry pie of the lovely 2005 but with more depth in the middle palate showing mineral, damp earth, red licorice notes. Vibrant acidity, silky tannins provides for a mouthwatering finish.
Produced 425 cases Released June 2008 $26/bottle Purchase Now |
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2005 Syrah : Big, beautiful canopies provide the filtered shade that Syrah needs to develop this degree of complexity of flavors and tannins. The 2005 Yorba Syrah has lush dark berry fruit, pepper and fresh herb aromas surrounded by opulent texture with a refined and supple finish. Yummy!
Produced 258 cases Released November 2007 $32/bottle Purchase Now |
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2006 Tempranillo : Yorba Tempranillo is positioned on an east-facing slope, protected and sheltered. Quiet and undemanding, the vines are well balanced with beautiful structure. Our Spaniard is indeed content with its home in the Sierra Foothills. Raspberry, dark chocolate aromas tango with spicy blackberry brambly flavors and a long tantalizing finish.
Produced 202 cases Released October 2008 $38/bottle Purchase Now |
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2006 Shake Ridge Red : Though we love the different characters of the individual Yorba varietals, we wanted one wine to capture the essence of Shake Ridge Vineyard. A showcase of our unique combination of varieties, soils, and expert care, Shake Ridge Red is truly a year-to-year revue of “The Ranch.” The stars of this year’s SRR are the flamboyant Syrah (50%) and the bold, sophisticated Cabernet Sauvignon (30%). The supporting cast of Merlot (8%), Malbec (10%), and Graciano (2%) add fruit, fragrance and spice.
Produced 298 cases Released October 2008 $28/bottle Purchase Now |
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