Tasting Notes, Friday 5/9/14

 NCWC WINEMAKER EVENT FEATURING SAXON BROWN, 5/9/14

SAXON BROWN SEMILLON 2011

Saxon Brown winemaker Jeff Gaffner insists, “Winemaking must consume you, or your wines may not be worth consuming.”  These five wines provide ample evidence of his passion, beginning with this lovely Semillon from the Cricket Creek Vineyard in Alexander Valley.  After fermentation the wine was kept on the lees for five months to complement the vibrant varietal flavors with an elegant, soft richness.  Pear, fig, apple and melon aromas are accented by subtle citrus and white floral notes.  Initially very bright on the palate, echoing the nose, it follows through to a rich, creamy finish.  $17.97/bottle.

SAXON BROWN PINOT NOIR 2009

Jeff emphasizes gentle handling and slow fermentation, followed by lengthy aging to promote wines of elegance and longevity.  In this case his process produced a wine of classic Pinot character.  Fragrant rose petal, violet, red cherry and spice give way to a satin smooth mouthfeel bearing supple dark fruit flavor, ending with a long, silky finish.  $33.97/bottle.

SAXON BROWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006

Jeff’s relationships in Napa Valley give him access to special blocks of Cabernet fruit, which he puts to excellent use with this wine.  He ages this Cab for 36 months in tight-grained Burgundy barrels, followed by another 24 months in bottle.  You’ll see it’s worth the wait.  On the nose you’ll find a core of rich, dark fruit with notes of mocha, brown spice, dark chocolate, sweet pipe tobacco and coffee.  On the palate it’s very rich, with incredible complexity, silky tannins, and a wonderfully long finish.  $53.97/bottle.

SAXON BROWN SYRAH 2008

Like many of Jeff’s wines, this Syrah comes from the Parmelee-Hill Vineyard in the Southwest corner of Sonoma Valley, specifically the Owl Box Block.  It has a wonderful violet, lavender and
exotic fruit tone to go along with its Syrah varietal character. The mouth feel has a long concentrated presence, with an almost dark chocolate finish. This wine will age up to, and maybe even beyond, 20 years.  $31.97/bottle.

SAXON BROWN ZINFANDEL 2009

This Zin, called the “Fighting Brothers Cuvee” after Jeff’s two sons, is a classic field blend that also contains traces of Petite Sirah, Carignan, Alicante Bouschet and Mataro.  It has an intense raspberry and dried cranberry signature, along with black cherry/berry, dark chocolate and sweet elegant oak tones. On the mouth this wine has great structure and firm acids with a core of dried raspberry, mocha and dark chocolate dust reminiscent of a decadent raspberry chocolate torte. This is a very rich and long wine.  $28.97/bottle.