The 2008 Season at CROZE & SMITH WOOTON

 

It has been a season ripe with activity here at Croze and Smith Wooton. We have worked our fingers to a state of purple that undeniably labels us a ‘hands on’ boutique winery. The vintage itself has provided challenges such as late frost, winds, and heat spikes and yet the wines have reigned victorious. Our overall crops were light but the quality of the fruit is impeccable.

We started harvest in mid August with our Lake County Sauvignon Blanc and Suisun Cabernet Sauvignon Rose’. Fermentations were slow and cool according to plan to find the sweet spot of varietal character we were hoping for. Everything went along without a hitch and the wines are newly bottled and resting, awaiting their release next year.

Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon came in the second week of October and were delicious right off the vine. We have made every effort to be gentle and let the true character of these Napa wines shine through. They will be quietly maturing in French Nevers oak barrels until winemaker Gary Wooton says, ‘parfait’.

 

Our hardest hit in the vineyard was Port this year though what we are losing in volume we are making up for in flavor.  This promises to be one of the most mouth-watering, delectable California Cabernet Sauvignon Ports to date.  Our club members will get the 2006 Port to tempt their taste buds into starting verticals.  Let us know if you would like to join or gift the Croze Nest Wine Club.

 

All in all it has been a wonderful season here at Croze and Smith Wooton. The seasons have provided for the earth, giving bounty to the fruit. Beautiful fruit paired with the panache of winemaker Gary Wooton, have newly made wines anticipating release. Previous vintages and friends, old and new, give reason for us to raise our glasses again and again.

A Season in Photographs

 

 

 

**A VERY SPECIAL OFFER**

We want to offer you a unique opportunity to have YOUR OWN private label on our Cabernet Sauvignon 2004. Whether it be for your special event, a gift, or just because you want it we can design or work with you to design your own special label. Contact us for details. Limited offer. First come, first served. Very cool!

Our CROZE NEST WINE CLUB Fall Picks...

Croze Cabernet Sauvignon 2004    &    Croze Cabernet Sauvignon Port 2006

Contact us for more information.

 

Current CROZE and SMITH WOOTON Releases

2004 CROZE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 

 

The 2004 Croze wine will surpass all your expectations of Napa Cabernet.  There is finesse, balance, and yes, all the true old world charm a varietally correct Cabernet can offer.  You are met with sunny wildflower and musk aromas that are structured together with a blast of fresh ground pink peppercorns.  The flavors have incredibly harmonious elements of worn saddle leather and rivers of fresh, blood red cassis.  

In keeping with the winemaker’s philosophy and style, 2004 CROZE is very drinkable now, but this intriguing Cabernet Sauvignon has the ideal balance for a graceful and long lived wine.  Only 673 cases produced!

 

 

2006 CROZE CABERNET SAUVIGNON PORT

2006 CROZE Cabernet Sauvignon Port began life at Tenbrink Vineyards in Suisun Valley. In this Port, the Winemaker chose to preserve the fruit's true varietal character and present it fresh on the palate. The Port balances the flavors of mature fruit, French oak and aged Brandy, thus achieving a satisfying medly of flavors. Rich, dense blackberry flavors and aromas fill the mouth and nose and linger on the tongue.  Enjoy 2006 Croze Port as an aperitif, with a savory roast duck or after dinner with a bit of dark chocolate and a friend.
IF YOU LOVE CROZE PORT, ORDER YOURS TODAY!  
Limited production of 200 cases.

 

2005 SMITH WOOTON SYRAH

The wine opens with aromas of macerated black cherries, clove spice, and a bit of prosciutto.  The fully rounded mouthfeel starts with Indian Mukhwas (candy coated fennel, anise, and sesame seeds) and moves into dense, concentrated blackberries and plum.  The wine invoke images of a sultry northern Rhone wrapped in velvet arm in arm with the brute force of a CA Syrah strapped in new chaps.  One glass is never enough.  Only 297 cases produced.

Gabrielle Shaffer, Sommelier

2005 SMITH WOOTON CABERNET FRANC

 

2005 SMITH WOOTON Cabernet Franc from Gallagher's Vineyard is unmistakably Cabernet Franc!  Once again the Napa Valley terroir and meticulous vineyard management by grower, Brian Gallagher work their magic to provide our winemaker, Gary Wooton with just the right grapes for this elegant and handsome wine.  Earthy aroma explodes from the glass long before your lips touch the wine.  The first sip fills the mouth with dark, rich earthy flavors reminiscent of a fine Bordeaux.  Production of just 490 cases.

 

 

 

 

2006 CROZE SAUVIGNON BLANC

This is our premier "White Croze."  This Sauvignon Blanc is light, crisp and well balanced with bright fruit character. You'll find melon and pineapple flavors with a hint of citrus. Serve lightly chilled with fish, poultry and creamy pasta dishes. Celebrate any day with this delightful wine! The grapes for the 2006 Sauvignon Blanc came from Monte Lago Vineyard in the hills overlooking Clearlake, California. This vineyard produces low yields of intense fruit with bright, crisp flavors and moderate tannins. The grapes were hand-picked, crushed and fermented in small lots to preserve fruit character and to avoid the extraction of harsh tannins. A long, cool fermentation in steel tank preserved the fresh aromas and flavors, creating an elegant wine with true California style. 406 cases produced.

 

 

2005 Croze' Vin d' Une Nuit

This is a light and lovely Rose' of Cabernet Sauvignon.  It finishes almost dry with the fresh taste of summer berries on the palate. Enjoy it rain or shine, with a fireside picnic or sip it while curled up with a good book. For a special treat, serve Croze' in a champagne glass with a frozen berry or add a cube of frozen Croze'!  Offer "Croze-A" to toast the day!  The 2005 Croze' grapes came from Suisun Valley, just across the Eastern Hills from Napa Valley. Here, the daylight hours are just a bit warmer, without the cooling marine influence of the San Francisco Bay. Soil and climate are similar to South Central France, where Rose' is Queen. 2005 was a long, cool growing season—perfect for making this delicate Rose' wine. Winemaker, Gary Wooton vinted the wine in the classic French “Vin d' Une Nuit” (Wine of One Night) style. Unlike many Rose' wines, where juice is separated from the skins immediately after pressing, grapes for Croze' are crushed and the juice is left on the skins overnight, before pressing. This gives the wine its rosy, watermelon hue and rich mouth feel. 323 cases produced.