The 5th Annual Bread & Butter Allocation | Spring 2025
There is nothing like a hot, fresh loaf of Italian pugliese slathered in a spread of room temperature butter. I can smell and savor the memory of my days in the restaurant business while working for the late Michael Chiarello. I ate my salary in loaves of bread working for that man and enjoyed every moment. There is something innately satisfying when one finds a moment of enjoyment that fills oneself up completely. Think about it. I have spent enough time on this planet to appreciate when an experience is meaningful and one that I will never forget. For example, I remember the moment I had my first bottle of 1984 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir. The wine was so opaque I though it would be yet another vapid, sour experience with California Pinot Noir. Boy was I wrong! A self taught winemaker, Burt Williams was pure genius. The wine was Full of zest and flavor and an umami effect I like to call heavenly glide.
You see, I think there is beauty in simplicity and that is why I am not waxing away poetically on our 5th Annual Bread & Butter Allocation. Because, let’s face it, what more needs to be said? Every wine in this lineup is flat-out kick ass! The 2023 vintage is something I have not experienced since our inception. The vintage is divine. And 2024? Lookout because it compounds the beauty of the foundation we have found in 2023. What brings me the most joy in this moment is that we are bringing you guilt-free, drinking enjoyment for the fifth year in a row. These are gems at exceptional value points and we are proud to present them to you here.
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2023 1904 Estate Zinfandel | Croix Estate Vineyard, Russian River Valley
Varieties: 90% Estate Zinfandel, 10% Estate Alicante Bouchet | Method: 100% Pellenc destemmed, 50% Stainless, 50% Open Top, 100% Native Primary & Secondary, 55% New American Oak, 45% French Oak. Unfiltered. 16 Barrels Produced
Once again, the 2023 vintage of this wine is humping some serious weight. This is another home run effort from our winemaking team. Our Croix Estate Vineyard Zinfandel is a heritage vineyard site. Planted in 1904, the original vineyard comprised of 39 acres planted in sections to Zinfandel, Carignan, Alicante Bouchet, Petite Sirah, and Mataro. Today, the vineyard consists of 10 acres of 90% Zinfandel and 10% Alicante Bouchet. Are you a fan of ripe, balanced, jammy Zins with zesty acid and a serious amount of viscosity? This wine is for you. This is pure bliss! Dark notes of brambly fruit, blackberries, blueberries, ripe fig, boysenberry, hints of clove licorice and white pepper. Exceptional. The mouthfeel is rich with dark fruits of plum black cherry and cassis take over the palate with balanced acid and tannin, finishing silky with racy acidity to clear the finish for minutes on end. A stunning work to contemplate. Don’t miss this.
$50
2023 Narrow Gauge Chardonnay | Middle Reach, Russian River Valley
The Vineyards: Sebastopol Vineyard | Ritchie Vineyard | Dutton-Morelli Lane Vineyard | Richard Dinner Vineyard | Bacigalupi Vineyard | Chardonnay Clones: Old Wente, Dijon 76, Clone 4 | Method: Whole Cluster Press Into 50% Neutral, 50% New French Oak, 100% Native Primary & Secondary Fermentation, 9 Months Sur Lie, Rack & Return Aging Total 16 Months, Unfiltered. 15 Barrels Produced
Another unbelievable effort is coming to you and one that you do not want to miss. This is an everyday drinking gem that is stylish, perfectly balanced, and a real joy to consume. Ripe fig, bosque pear, banana and apricot jam followed mineral hints of flintiness, fresh white roses coat your senses with aromas of honeysuckle whipped in truffles. On the palate we find mouth coating caramel, expresso beans, creamsicle, acid is well integrated into the wine leaving a crip finish on the palate, beautiful with pear salads, with blue cheeses. lathered in long moments of raw pleasure. We have said this before, and we will say it again—want to be a wine hero? Take this wine to any spring or summer party and watch people bow in reverence of your genius. Trust us.
$50
2023 Floodgate Pinot Noir | Russian River Valley
The Vineyards: 33% Bacigalupi Vineyard | 32% Ritchie Vineyard |21% Bucher Vineyard | 12% 5 Wells Vineyard | 2% Ruxton Vineyard |Pinot Noir Clones: Dijon 667, Dijon 777 & 828, Pommard, Vosne-Romanee, & Wente | Method: 90% Pellenc destemmed, 10% Wholecluster, 5 Day Cold Soak, 100% Carbonic Native Inoculation, Hand Punch Down Cap Submersions, 50% New French Oak, 16 Months. Unfiltered. 16 Barrels Produced
This wine just keeps getting better and better. Like playing a finely tuned, hand-made Gibson, our 2023 Floodgate Pinot will take your breath away. Explosion of red fruits of bright Bing cherry dark cherry or even raisins, cranberries, hints of tobacco and rose water, allspice, black tea, dusty cocoa. Wow! Hell yes! This is another level of full-bodied greatness! Beautiful mouthfeel that covers the palate with a variety of red fruits ranging from cherry, plum, pomegranate strawberries and raspberries, with hints of cedar and sweet tobacco. This is sexy stuff! Rich and full on the palate, this wine has substantial glide that will develop impressive weight over the next five years.
$60
2024 Fenceline Sauvignon Blanc | Croix Estate Vineyard, Russian River Valley
Sauvignon Blanc Clones: 100% Sauvignon Musqué | Method: Wholecluster Direct Press Into Neutral French Oak, Native Primary & Secondary Fermentation, Unfiltered. 5 Barrels Produced
Ahh…Spring bliss is here and demands a bucket of ice next to your chair on the beach! Get ready for easy drinkin’ days to come. We don’t know about you, but we cannot get enough of our Fenceline Sauvignon Blanc. Each year brings forth something different and boy do we have a home run in the 2024 vintage! Tropical notes of ripe cantaloupe, melon, and kiwi with coconut oil open the senses on the first pass over the glass. Just lovely. Grindelia, ripe fig, and lemon blossom pull you into a state of elation. As with the 2023 vintage, on the palate we find our senses are deceived by full, silky, blood orange juiciness, sweet pink grapefruit, and lemon curd with a lengthy, bright and balanced finish. The acid carries the plushness of the wine brilliantly. At just 125 cases produced, you will want to scoop up as much of this wine as you can before it sells out. This wine is lovely, fun, and vibrant. Pack this in a bucket of ice next to the pool and bring a fresh blast of joy into your summer day!
$44
2024 Ruxton Sands Rose' of Pinot Noir | Ruxton Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir | Method: Wholecluster Direct Press Into Neutral French Oak, Native Primary & Secondary Fermentation, Unfiltered. 10 Barrels Produced
Sitting at 800 feet of elevation in the heart of the Occidental Cordillera of the Russian River Valley appellation, we choose a direct pick and press method when producing our Rosé from Ruxton Vineyard. The first thing you notice is the sexy, pale peach color of this wine, evoking an assumption of greatness in the glass. This is a compelling effort that will challenge the senses. Red apple with honey, fresh berries of black and raspberry, acidity is well balanced and yet allows for a more seasoned diner that enjoys more complex foods. A bright entry on the palate is followed by a medium-full mid-palate that is at once viscous yet delicate. This is delicious! Strawberry curd, and golden pear are complimented with refreshing, savory nuances of raspberries and cola, with a finish that is developed and elegant. $31
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