John Anthony Vineyards

"Despite being less than one acre, the Hermitage clone at Crane Vineyard continues to be the dominant force in this vineyard-designated syrah. Classic varietal aromas lead the way: dark fruits, lilac, cedar, charcuterie and herbs de Provençe. Dense flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, blueberry and black cherry expand with accents of smoked game, dark earth, graphite and cardamom. Grainy tannins bring the wine to a resounding conclusion. A tour-de-force syrah from one of the first vineyards John planted in the Oak Knoll District nearly 25 years ago. "
 

"Blueberry, blackberry, pomegranate puree and crushed violet aromas. Inky and sumptuous. Blood orange and exotic spices comingle with rainbow peppercorns and smoked game meats. This syrah is rich and round with a youthful energy. It delivers powerfully with strong and silky tannins that lead to a nearly unending finish. The Crane Vineyard syrah."

"This is the first single vineyard release of our popular Oak Knoll District Syrah, now sourced exclusively from two acres within the Crane Vineyard. Dark fruit aromas and classic Rhone spice. Flavors are fresh and rich in plum and berry with sassafras and savory spice. A powerful wine with structure and great length."

"Powerfully balmy sweet black cherry and blueberry confirm the big structure and flavor profiles of the 2013 vintage. Wisps of sautéed bacon, sage and rosemary intermingle to balance the sweet gummy fruit with a savory complexity.  On the palate this is an ample and assertive wine with rich viscosity and bracing tannins.  Black and blue berries persist with concentration. Smoked game meat and dried Herbs de Provence linger as the fruit focus has broadened.  The nearly twenty-year-old vines have pronounced the character of age.  This is a wine of gravitas."

Seamless from start to finish beginning with aromas of dark cherry and milk chocolate intertwined with notes of toasted vanilla.  Flavors of bright cherry then dark berry, plum, coffee and chocolate follow.  Well rounded with elegantly woven tannins giving traction and dimension to the lingering flavors on the palate.

- Michele Truchard

"From 30 days of intense frost in spring 2008 to fewer than five in 2009, this vintage was much less eventful for growers who were able to sleep nights not worrying about the threat of frost—or the lack of water to combat it. Late spring rains and June’s warm spell helped curtail excessive canopy development. Instead of a typical growing season’s 14 days of 100°+ temperatures, 2009 counted four or five overall, again reducing the demand for water."

"A bouquet of dried berries, purple potpourri, balsamic and tar. The boysenberry and plum skin fruit flavors are generous and well-integrated with sweet cocoa, cured meats and cooking spices. The body is indicative of the vintage’s generous growing conditions and the texture has refined with age. There noted is harmony between the fruit and spice and the tannin and acid."

"2005’s winter rains took pause for a dry, mild March, then began again with record-setting precipitation late into the growing season, delaying bloom and set. The summer months were cool and pleasant with few heat spikes. Fog and cool temperatures were a concern heading into September as sugar levels were yet to rise in all varieties. Warm, nearly perfect conditions arrived with an Indian Summer making for a later-than-average harvest, providing winemakers with fruit with extended hang and ultimately realizing excellent sugar development and balanced acids with a larger-than-average crop of what could be a signature vintage from Napa Valley."

"Sourced from vineyards in both Carneros and the Oak Knoll District. Earthy dark fruit and savory meat aromas speak to the characteristics of classic northern Rhone wines. Refined flavors of boysenberry and raspberry layered with savory barbeque, dried herbs and potpourri. The tannins integrate seamlessly and the medium plus acid is indicative of its cool climate fruit."