For notes on our previous vintages click here.

2010 Grenache Blanc

Paragon Vineyard, Edna Valley

Farming and Winemaking Certifications:

Sustainable Farming, SIP Certified

Winemaking Notes:

Our 2010 Grenache Blanc is the first white wine produced by B&B, and man did we nail it. Our primary goal was to showcase the floral aromatics and acidity unique to the Paragon Vineyard.  An extremely long, slow fermentation taking place in 100% neutral French barrels yielded a wine rich in volume and old world character.  Occasional stirring and minimal sulfur use however, allowed the natural fruit flavors to shine through, creating a unique and memorable example of California Grenache Blanc.

Bottling analysis: pH - 3.43, TA - 6.55, Alc - 14.2

Tasting Notes:

This wine displays bright and expressive aromatics of ripe stone fruit, orange blossom, cream and wet cobblestone - like an Avignon farmers market in the rain. Initial flavors are complex yet approachable.  Ever eat a peach in the middle of a wheat field as the sun rises? It’s kind of like that. After some time in the glass the wine’s aromas transition to soft perfume, face powder, flower shop and lemon pastry. The balanced finish is clean and airy with electric acid and plenty of volume. A great food pairing wine that you can drink with close family, or people you actually enjoy spending time with.

*Patient Consumer: Cellar for one year in cool dark, place and serve slightly chilled.

**Thirsty Consumer: Open immediately and consume chilled, preferably as you order your next case.

Cases Produced:  63

Availability:  Limited, and rightfully so.

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2010 Central Coast Pinot Noir

Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties

Winemaking Notes:

Our 2010 Central Coast Pinot Noir is a blend of fruit from exceptional vineyards in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties.  This vintage was aged in neutral French oak allowing us to deliver a fruit driven Pinot Noir bursting with varietal character indicative of Central Coast Pinot Noir.

Bottling analysis:  pH - 3.67, TA - 5.9, Alc - 14.3

Tasting Notes:

Remember turning over rocks in the forest to look for bugs as a kid while eating black cherries?  Neither do we, but you get the picture. Soft moist earth and powerful dark fruit define this wine, while notes of sassafras, peppercorn and hints of dried Italian herbs add complexity. Finally, the rich mouth feel melts into a long, pleasant finish. Burgundian in style with twice the flavor, at half the price.

*Patient Consumer:  Cellar for 1-2 years and decant prior to serving.

**Thirsty Consumer:  Decant for 30 minutes and enjoy.

Cases Produced:  49

Availability:  Going fast.  Giddyup.

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2010 Grenache

Le Mistral Vineyard, Monterey County

Farming and Winemaking Certifications:

Organic Farming

Winemaking Notes:

2010 marks the first of what we know will be many vintages of Le Mistral Grenache for {baker & brain}.  This historic vineyard sight was one of the first Rhone-centric vineyards in California.  We combed the vineyard throughout the vintage, and eventually selected fruit from the site’s best vine rows and clones.  Rugged exposures and sandy soils in this growing area help create appropriately stressed vines, which produce intensely flavored cool climate Grenache.  During harvest, the fruit was de-stemmed and hand sorted prior to fermentation in small bins.  Gentle cap management, cool fermentation temperatures and subtle French oak created a wine that is dense in color and flavor while preserving extremely expressive aromatics.   

Bottling analysis: pH - 3.61, TA - 6.1, Alc - 14.5

Tasting Notes:

This may be the {baker & brain} wine of the vintage... blueberry, raspberry, nougat, and orange marmalade in a glass. A big glass. Notes of dried tobacco leaf and smoke that define great Grenache are also abundant. A juicy wine with heavy volume and balanced acidity. If you’ve ever browsed for Cuban cigars in a bakery specializing in wild-berry tangerine tarts (we do it often, don’t you?) you would get some idea of what is happening with this bottle.

*Patient Consumer:  Store in a cool dark place for 2-4 years and serve at room temperature.

**Thirsty Consumer:  Open the bottle two hours before serving if possible.

Cases Produced:  50

Availability:  Flying off the shelf. People aren’t used to Grenache like this.  Get you some!

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2010 Floodgate Vineyard Pinot Noir

Russian River Valley

Farming and Winemaking Certifications:

Sustainable, SIP Certified

Winemaking Notes:

Matt and I literally slept in this vineyard (not in the same tent, thank you) the night before harvesting to ensure we received the absolute best fruit from this special growing site.  We were allowed to select the finest three clones in the vineyard; 667 and 115 from a steep slope and Pommard from the valley floor.   We hand sorted the fruit as it was picked, eliminating anything that wasn’t perfectly ripe Pinot Noir.  Upon return to the winery, the fruit was directly unloaded, cluster sorted, de-stemmed and then berry sorted by hand.  Fermentation took place in small bins.  The cap was managed somewhat aggressively to extract the utmost character, flavor and density.  The wine was then aged in 50% new Mercurey French oak for 10 months before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Bottling analysis:  pH - 3.55, TA - 6.15, Alc - 14.5

Tasting Notes:

This Pinot epitomizes the silky elegant style that the Russian River Valley is known for.  Ripe cherry compote, rose petal and graphite are evident early, while more complex soil and cola notes evolve in the glass over time. Josh and Matt agree that the wine is sexy, classy and wild; like Grace Kelly meets Bettie Page.  Intelligent connoisseurs with discriminating palates will surely adore this wine. We’d confirm that if we knew any.

*Patient Consumer:  Cellar for 1-2 years and enjoy.

**Thirsty Consumer:  Decant and pour.

Cases Produced:  70

Availability:  Grace Kelly would kindly suggest that you buy some.  Bettie Page would whip your ass until you did.