2005 John Tyler Zinfandel

Awarded 89 points from the Wine Enthusiast.

“The vineyard is virtually in Dry Creek Valley, so it’s not surprising to find the briary, brambly intensity of that warm Sonoma appellation. It’s a good, lush, likeable Zin, brimming with wild berry, leather, tobacco and pepper spice flavors swimming in firm, dry tannins.”

Tasting Notes

The 2005 harvest was one of the largest in recent history. A cooler and longer growing season with moderate weather created ideal ripening conditions allowing the fruit to mature slowly and evenly. Moderate temperatures through harvest allowed the development of deep, rich flavors and color, the ideal growing season. This wine exhibits notes of juicy boysenberry and black raspberry with slight earthy overtones. Vibrant fruit characteristics mingled with some spice. Full and concentrated in the mouth, the finish is thick, lush with building tannins and the promise of great age ability. Drink now through 2017.

Vineyard Location:Bacigalupi Vineyards– Russian River Valley Appellation
Climate: cool mornings and warm afternoons
Soil: Rocky volcanic and sandy loam

Harvest Information:Date: Sunrise; September 19, 2005
Yield: 7-8 tons Duprat cloneProduction Notes: Barrels 23
Cases produced: 590

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2004 John Tyler Zinfandel

San Francisco Wine Competition

Our zinfandel continues to do well at the 2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition where the 2004 John Tyler Zinfandel was awarded a Gold Medal. Often referred to as one of the largest competition of American wines in the world over 5,000 wineries submitted their wines this year.

Tasting Notes

Our Zinfandel exemplifies the finest quality fruit this valley has to offer. Providing the fruit with plenty of hang time on the vine ensures for even ripening. Our program also includes an extended ageing in the bottle for up to 2 years. This wine features concentrated flavors of cherry and raspberry mingled with soft hints of barrel spice and black pepper. With extraordinary richness this wine unfolds with a delicate mouth feel and a wonderful balance of acidity and tannins.

Vineyard Location: Bacigalupi Vineyards, Russian River Valley

Harvest Information: Date: Sunrise, September 19th 2004
Yield: 7-8 tons
Duprat Clone (24.2 Brix)

Production Notes: Barrels: 35
Bottling Date: November 30th 2005
Cases produced: 490

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2003 John Tyler Zinfandel

San Francisco Chronicle

Our 2003 Zinfandel took home the Silver Medal at the 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Often referred to as one of the largest competition of American wines in the world over 5,000 wineries submitted their wines this year.

Dan Berger’s Vintage Experience Newsletter

September 28, 2006

Tasting Notes: Exceptional
2003 John Tyler Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, Bacigalupi Vineyards ($30) Raspberry, cherry and a trace of black pepper. Big but not overbearing.

Tasting Notes

Our Zinfandel, like our Pinot Noir brings forth the best characteristics of this variety concentrated winemaking style coupled with the cooler climate in the Russian River Valley appellation produces a Zinfandel rich in color, full and silky in texture with bright acid and deep fruit. We provide the fruit with ample hang time on the vine to encourage physiological maturity. Our program is designed to allow for up to 2 years of barrel aging as well as 1 year in the bottle.

Vineyard Location: Bacigalupi Vineyards, Russian River Valley

Harvest Information: Date- Sunrise; September 26, 2003
Yield: 7.5 tons; approx 3 tons per acre. 4 tons Duprat clone, 3.5 tons Old Vine– clone unknown

Production Notes:
Barrels: 19
Cases: 475

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2005 John Tyler Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes

The 2005 John Tyler Pinot Noir vintage combines subtle earth aromas of the vineyard with fresh pomegranate and dried cherry flavors. Elegant tannins and acid balance out to a smooth, delicate mouth-feel. New oak flavors mingle with hints of vanilla and soft rose petals to finish off a well-balanced wine. This wine with its creative complexity will continue to evolve over the next 10 years.

Vineyard Location: Bacigalupi Vineyards, Russian River Valley Appellation

Climate: cool mornings and warm afternoons
Soil: Rocky volcanic and sandy loam

Harvest Information: Date: Sunrise; September 13, 2005
Yield: 9 tons; approx 2-3 tons per acre; 4 tons Pommard clone (24.7 Brix) 5 tons Wente clone (24.9 Brix)

Production Notes:
Barrels: 27
Cases produced: 675

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2004 John Tyler Pinot Noir

San Francisco Chronicle

May 2, 2008:   Chosen as one of the top 25 Pinot Noirs from a single vineyard by the San Francisco Chronicle.

RATING: TWO AND A HALF STARS 2004 John Tyler Bacigalupi Vineyard RRV Pinot Noir ($42) Subtle cedar, eucalyptus and spice on the nose plus toasty oak; dry, dusty mineral leads to flavors of roasted cherry and bright strawberry on the palate. Winery only.

Dan Berger’s Vintage Experience Newsletter

March 13, 2008
Tasting notes: Very highly recommended2004 John Tyler Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Bacigalupi Vineyards ($42). Earthy, complex herbal-cherry aroma with good grip. With air it opens to show faint notes of Burgundy.

Tasting Notes

This wine exhibits a beautiful dark ruby and garnet color. On the nose, aromas of black cherries are met with notes of leather, clove and vanilla. On the palate rich, ripe raspberries are complemented by hints of French oak a pepper. Silky smooth tannins, excellent mouth feel with good acidity and great length on the finish. Extensive ageing process makes for and elegant wine, ideal for pairing with a variety of food.

Vineyard Location: Bacigalupi Vineyards, Russian River Valley

Harvest Information: Date: Sunrise September 13th, 2004
Yield: 9 tons total; 4 tons Pommard (24.7 Brix) 5 tons Wente (24.9 Brix)

Production Notes:
Barrels: 20
Cases produced: 558

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2003 John Tyler Pinot Noir

Pinot Report

2003 John Tyler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Bacigalupi Vineyard
Medium-deep ruby color; black cherry and earthy aromas; big, full black cherry flavors with earthy notes, light-moderate tannin and oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Rich, ripe and well structured, this Pinot has a lot to offer now and will gain with a little bottle age.    829 cases made $42 Score: 91

Dan Berger’s Vintage Experience Newsletter

September 28, 2007
Tasting Notes: Exceptional
2003 John Tyler Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Bacigalupi Vineyard ($42):Superb cool-climate aroma of thyme, black cherry, and an attractive peppery note. Silky tannins and loads of generous fruit. From a new joint venture between the owner of Bacigalupi and winemaker Tyler Heck.

Tasting Notes

Our 2003 Pinot Noir has a superb cool climate aroma of thyme, full black cherry flavors, and an attractive peppery note. A Medium-deep ruby color with earthy aromas, light-moderate tannin and oak, good structure with a long finish. A seamless integration of silky tannins, loads of generous fruit with a balanced floral note in the bouquet. Rich, ripe and well structured this Pinot has a lot to offer. Aged 11 months in 100% French oak with an additional 12 months of bottle aging prior to release.

Vineyard Location -Bacigalupi Vineyards- Russian River Valley

Harvest Information- Yield: 14 tons; approx 2-3 tons per acre. 4 tons Pommard clone (24.7 Brix) 10 tons Wente clone (24.9 Brix)

Production Notes
Barrels: 35
Cases produced: 829

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2002 John Tyler Pinot Noir

Pinot Report

“2002 John Tyler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Bacigalupi Vineyards
Medium-deep ruby purple color; sweet cherry and strawberry aromas; big and rich, with deep cherry/berry flavors, moderate tannin and some sweet oak; good structure and balance; long finish. This Pinot has lots of rich, ripe flavors and a good dose of tannin and oak—it needs time in the glass to really open.  826 cases made $42 Score: 91″

Tasting Notes

This is a full-bodied 2002 Pinot Noir, showcasing  the varietal characteristics for which the Russian River appellation is known. Aged 11 months in 100% French oak with an additional 12 months of bottle aging prior to release. This Pinot Noir has a concentrated style that produces its dark color, rich flavors, and full mid-palate tannin structure. This Pinot has aroma and bouquet filled with rich raspberry, deep cola, and a hint of rhubarb. The bouquet and mouth feel of this wine will be enhanced when served at room temperature

Vineyard Location: Bacigalupi Vineyards, Russian River Valley

Harvest Information- Date: Sunrise; September 10, 2002
Yield: 14 tons; approx 2-3 tons per acre. 4 tons Pommard clone (24.7 Brix) 10 tons Wente clone (24.9 Brix)

Production Notes: Barrels: 36
Cases produced: 826

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