Vol. 2 No. 2
Standard Selection - (1) Red, (1) White
1997 Blackstone Merlot - California
1997 Murphy-Goode Pinot Blanc - California
The Blackstone story is one of two brothers, Derek and Courtney Benham. Raised in the "Great Valley" of central California, amid vineyards and almond orchards, they learned the great tenet of the land: it gives back only what you give it, only maximum efforts yield maximum results. Neither Benham has been afraid to exert maximum effort and extend himself.
After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley in 1981 and 1982 respectively, the Benham Brothers embarked on promising careers in the wine industry with the Barengo Winery. By 1985 they were running the Barengo Winery/Lost Hills Winery in Lodi, California.
In 1990, after a myriad of experiences in growing, sourcing and marketing wines, the Benham Brothers created the Blackstone Winery with a single purpose: to share the good life with people everywhere who enjoy elegant wines.
To accomplish their goal, Derek and Courtney, along with winemaker Dennis Hill, focus on the task of creating wines that share an integrated balance of varietal flavor, oak extraction, and tannins. In order to maintain stylistic integrity and to assure consistent, quality wines, the Benham Brothers have developed long term agreements with quality growers in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, and Monterey counties. The Benhams work in close contact with all the growers and they contribute to all strategic areas of the business - from sourcing grapes and blending the Blackstone wines, to overseeing the sales and distribution efforts. These arrangements and dedication have catapulted Blackstone Winery to the forefront of highly acclaimed California wineries in just a few short years.
Although the winery produces Chardonnay as well as Merlot, it is the winery's juicy, supple Merlot wines that have rightfully earned the Benham Brothers fame and fortune. Presently, Blackstone Winery produces two Merlot offerings: the Blackstone Napa Valley Merlot and the Blackstone California Merlot. Both wines have garnered considerable critical acclaim. Since 1994 alone, Blackstone wines have won more than a dozen prestigious awards at major California and International competitions. In addition, Wine & Spirits Magazine and Beverage and Food Dynamics have given the Blackstone California Merlot top honors.
"I really enjoy creating fine varietal wines. The main focus of my time is...to create memorable Blackstone wines that are flavorful, balanced and interesting," says Blackstone's winemaker, Dennis Hill. With the dedication of the Benhams behind him, Dennis Hill has succeeded in fashioning a string of memorable Merlot wines - easy to drink elegant and flavorful wines of distinction. Enjoy!
Merlot Madness
Historically, Merlot is one of the oldest continuously cultivated grape varietals in the world. Along with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, it forms the glorious triumvirate known as the "Bordeaux blend". Merlot or "Gros Doux" as it is often called in its native Bordeaux, has a lineage dating back over two thousand years to Roman Gaul. Although it is true that most of the fine red Bordeaux today contain only a percentage of Merlot, some of the loftiest names in Bordeaux could legally be labeled Merlot, if varietal bottling were their tradition. The great Chateau Petrus, one of the world's most expensive and exquisite wines, is certainly the supreme example of the heights Merlot can attain on its own. Chateau Petrus normally contains at least 95% Merlot, far above the legal 80% requirement set by the EEC for varietal bottling.
Not content to be a homebody, Merlot has traveled the length and breadth of the globe where, presently, it is cultivated on every continent except Antarctica. Presently, Merlot is the "hottest" grape in America. Americans love Merlot, and the seemingly insatiable thrust we have for any wine that bears its name can only be described as madness:
Ironically, Merlot wasn't even a serious player among California varietals until the 1980's. During the wine boom of the mid 1960's, when Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel were being planted extensively throughout California, only a mere 31 acres of Merlot could even be found in the state and most of that was in one experimental vineyard. By the 1970's Merlot's presence could be seen in California, as the grape began to garner attention from growers, but even then, most of it was being used to blend with the hardier Cabernet Sauvignon wines that were enjoying great favor. "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride", was the often repeated description of this soft-spoken grape. It wasn't until the 1980's that Merlot was extensively bottled as a varietal to seek its own merit.
Since the 1970's, Merlot's status has changed dramatically. With the advent of America as a red wine drinking nation, hooked on the "heart healthy" declaration of the medical establishment, Merlot has come of age. In the 1990's, Merlot basks in its highly regarded place in the sun - a superstar.
Since the 1970's, Merlot's status has changed dramatically. With the advent of America as a red wine drinking nation, hooked on the "heart healthy" declaration of the medical establishment, Merlot has come of age. In the 1990's, Merlot basks in its highly regarded place in the sun - a superstar.
Tasting Notes: A medium-bodied wine, the 1997 Blackstone California Merlot is a real crowd-pleaser. It exhibits a fine aroma of ripe berry, cherry and toasted vanilla. In the savor, creamy creme de cassis flavors and hints of white chocolate emerge in a very suave, well-flavored format. This is a supple wine with no hard edges. Already this wine is ready and willing to please. Give it fifteen or twenty minutes to breathe and you will be shocked at how round, gracious and delicious it is with a wide array of foods.
Murphy-Goode Estate:
Wines That Are Better Than Good
"Recipe for Success"
Team a creative marketer with two accomplished grape growers and carefully blend with superior vineyards located in one of the world's renowned wine-growing regions in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley. Add enthusiastic family members and a brilliant winemaker. Infuse the lot with dedication, a strong work ethic and a liberal dose of good humor: this is the tried and true recipe for Murphy-Goode Estate Winery.
Tim Murphy, owner/farmer of the 200 acre Murphy Ranch, and Dale Good, former vineyard manager for Alexander Valley Vineyards and Hoot Owl Creek Vineyards, are long-time friends and colleagues. Known as pioneers in Sonoma County viticulture, both men planted some of the first premium variety vineyards in the area during the 1960's. Tim and Dale share a passion for farming, and they take great pride in their work.
The two men, along with Tim's three sons, became business partners in 1980 when they leased a vineyard in the central portion of Alexander Valley. "Some of us never know when to quit." says Dale, as he describes the motivation for adding Murphy-Goode Vineyards to their responsibilities. "A gorgeous piece of land became available and it was crying for grapes. Tim and I jumped at the chance to develop the property, one of the last unplanted pieces of land here in Alexander Valley," Dale explains.
Busier than ever, the farmers contemplated more pursuits; they itched to produce wine from their grapes. "Every grower is only doing half the job. As far as I am concerned, we have to make wine to complete the process," says Dale. "Good grape farming does not stop at the crusher," adds Tim. "It really is a lot more fun to follow the entire life cycle from the vine to the final product in the bottle." Consequently, the dynamic two teamed up with wine marketer Dave Ready in 1985 to form a family owned winery in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley. "Dave provided the dynamic component and expertise we lacked," says Tim.
"From the beginning, the three of us shared a singular mission: to produce an excellent product which reflects the superior quality of our grapes," Tim recalls. The Murphy-Goode brand was born in 1985, when the partners hired Merry Edwards, a consulting enologist, to oversee their custom crush project of 10,000 cases. The premier vintage was an immediate success.
In 1987, a small production facility was built on Murphy Ranch in Alexander Valley. Winemaker Christina Benz was hired in time to equip the winery and receive the 1987 harvest. "My initial attraction to Murphy-Goode Estate Winery was the delicious flavors of the grapes and the beautifully kept estate vineyards," Chris recalls. "The vineyards, like a well-manicured garden, were maintained with obvious care and attention to detail."
Today, Murphy-Goode Estate Winery has grown well beyond initial projections. Current annual production approximates 90,000 cases. The employees are family, both literally and figuratively: Dave Ready's son works alongside Chris Benz in the cellar; Dale Goode's daughter is on the hospitality staff; Tim Murphy's three sons continue to manage the estate vines, while cultivating their own vineyards.
Obviously, Murphy-Goode's assembly of partners, family members and dedicated employees significantly factor in on the winery's success. However, environmentally sound farming and incomparable grapes are also paramount to Murphy-Goode's quality. Their estate vines grow on three Alexander Valley sites while neighboring vineyards also provide excellent sources to meet the continuing demand for Murphy-Goode wines.
Presently, the winery produces a host of award winning white wines: Chardonnay, Fume Blanc (dry Sauvignon Blanc) and an incomparable Pinot Blanc. Among the red varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel carry the banner of this estate's success.
Pinot Blanc: Melon de Bourgogne
Pinot Blanc, known as Melon de Bourgogne in its native France, is one of the most cultivated grape varietals in Alsace. It also seems to be widely planted in among the more renowned Chardonnay vines in prime vineyards in Burgundy and Champagne-regulations notwithstanding. In both appearance and, sometimes, in the character of its wines, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay resemble one another. Perhaps, due to this mistaken identity, coupled with the relative difficulty of its cultivation, Pinot Blanc's fortune has been cast and even overshadowed by the more famous Chardonnay.
Although Pinot Blanc appears to be inextricably linked to Chardonnay, many viticulturists believe that its true forebearer is Pinot Noir, the noble "black" grape of Burgundy and Champagne. In fact, evidence supports the claim that Pinot Blanc is indeed an albino or "white" variant of the venerable Pinot Noir. Certainly, Pinot Blanc shares similar savory, spicy characteristics with Pinot Noir, and it also exhibits the same naturally elevated levels of acidity that typify Pinot Noir.
In California, Pinot Blanc is increasingly popular because it retains its acid better than Chardonnay, a real asset under a searing summer sun that tends to rob grapes of their natural acid. For this reason, most sparkling wine makers in California use a high percentage of this varietal in their "cepage" or blend. Furthermore, Pinot Blanc continues to gain considerable attention on its own as a varietal wine; its spicy, full flavors marry extremely well with today's eclectic cuisine.
Tasting Notes: A richly colored Pinot Blanc, the 1997 Murphy-Goode exudes a bouquet of lemon custard and toasted oak. Rich fruit and a cachet of spices caress the palate. The wine culminates in a melange of citrus, with a long spice-box finish. The Murphy-Goode Pinot Blanc is no self-effacing little wine; it is bold and self-assured, making it a fine choice with flavorful foods.
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