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New to Albariño? Michael describes it as having the haunting aromatics of Riesling, the bright acid nerve of Sauvignon Blanc, and the mid palate exotic fruit recalling Viognier. The 2004 version is now ready to release and enjoy. Albariño in Carneros has now shown itself consistent in character, with bright fruit, minerality, and a certain complexity many describe as “seashore”. It of course makes a lovely aperitif, but also complements seafood and light savory dishes. It is the quintessential wine to match with tapas, especially when they feature a degree of saltiness or piquant spice. This year’s version is as lively as ever, with the low alcohol (12.0%) we love in this wine

The 2002 Black & Blue is drinking well now, offering a load of sweet fruit and balancing spice. But it will no doubt age into something even more exotic and subtle with years in the bottle; ten years from vintage should be really interesting. It's a variation on a theme most wine lovers have heard, the Napa Valley Cabernet theme, but it's played a little differently, more wild and haunting.

In 1992 we introduced Bourriquot, moved by the memory of great wines from Right BankBordeaux that feature blends of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Bourriquot” (Boo-ree-ko) is a slang word for a horse with its own mind, one that is not easily controlled. You might say this subversive horse leads the way in our whole stable–wines a bit outre for our little valley, pulling in a dissident direction, yet finally quite traditional. Coming from great sites with a distinctive blend, the 2001 is one of the most exciting wines Havens has ever produced. The 2001 horse is explosive out of the glass, with the same fine dark chocolate of the Merlot. But this is Franc in spades (or horseshoes): the fine cedar of a cigar box, fully mature roses, dried black cherries. The 2001 vintage has saddled this Bourriquot with big expectations, which it meets with the fullest body and longest finish of any vintage we’ve produced. Bourriquot is unique in California, a wine based on Cabernet Franc and Merlot that attempts to celebrate those grapes’ native character, not cover it over.

In contrast to our other Right Bank wine, Bourriquot is more finely-textured, somewhat more elegant than the explosive flavors of the Merlot Reserve. The 2000 horse has the same fine chocolate of the Merlot, but this is Franc in spades (or horseshoes): the fine cedar of a cigar box, dusty roses, dried cherries. And the palate persistence is outstanding here, lingering with great inner-mouth perfume. This Bourriquot will age very well, given its engaging texture and depth of flavor, though it offers pleasure already. Bourriquot is unique in California, a wine based on Cabernet Franc and Merlot that attempts to celebrate those grapes’ native character, not cover it over. And we continue to be proud that its price is far less than other wines in its class.

With the very best Syrah, the wine starts out its life in cellar very fat, full, and somewhat awkward. But unlike the Bordeaux varieties, it goes on a spa routine in cellar, becoming more elegant, balanced, and fine. The aromatic high tones of lavender and orchid, the white pepper spice, and the long finish develop from what began as an ungainly child. Our 2000 Hudson T has followed that program, and is a worthy successor to the fine 1999. We are sure you will find it one of the preeminent Syrah offerings from American soil.

ith the very best Syrah, the wine starts out its life in cellar very fat, full, and somewhat awkward. But unlike the Bordeaux varieties, it goes on a spa routine in cellar, becoming more elegant, balanced, and fine. The exotic high tones of lavender and orchid, the white pepper spice, and the long finish develop from what began as an ungainly child. Our 2001 Hudson T has followed that program, and now offers power in elegant form, real Syrah from Carneros terroir.

This wine features the good deep, plummy fruit of southern Napa Valley and Carneros, and a heightened aromatic spice from its 5% Cabernet Franc. On the palate, the wine has a bright, lively entry followed by a fleshy mid-palate, where the engaging, powdery texture leads to the softly-framing tannins. The wine persists as well as any Napa Valley Merlot in memory. All this to make a wine that offers its best with food, not a monster for shows. If there’s a word for that, it’s “balance.” It’s our basic ideal, because it describes wines that give drinking pleasure at the table.

Our 2002 Napa Valley Merlot is very rich, velvety, in a sense the most classic style for Napa Valley. This one is destined to be a crowd-pleaser, especially if that crowd is enjoying good food. It offers some of the fullest body and deepest fruit of any vintage we’ve made of this wine, yet the tannins are round and mouthfilling, so the resulting wine on palate is still balanced . It answers affirmatively that a rich wine can be complex, nuanced, and elegant.

You will find the 2001 Syrah juicy and forward like the 2000, deeply-saturated black-purple. But the real features here are the exotic spice and high floral tones from cool climate vineyards. That note keeps the wine lively and refreshing on the palate, and asks for rich or spicy food to go with it. With Syrahs popping up all over California, we think this one offers something hard to find: real Syrah character at a reasonable price.

You will find the 2000 Syrah more juicy, forward, and immediately fruity than our 1999. The gradual ripening in September left us with finely balanced fruit extract and acidity. The “smoked meat” character of the ‘99 makes a small appearance here, but it is the blueberry/plum fruit, with a touch of white pepper spice, that drives this wine. With Syrahs popping up all over California, we think this one offers something hard to find: real Syrah character at a reasonable price.

With a full two years bottle aging before release, the 2001 Merlot Reserve is already developed into a stylish wine: dark plummy fruit, subtle baking spices, and a broad-but-firm backbone. This may be our best blending yet of power and flattering fruit, as the wine clearly offers pleasure now, but quite emphatically will develop over many years. If you appreciate the great wines of the Right Bank but love the immediate pleasure of Napa Valley fruit, you will find this Carneros Reserve bottling just that magical combination.