Raymond Burr Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley Estate 2007

Winemaker's Notes:

About This Wine: "Rich fruit flavors with velvety texture. Beautiful nose of blackberry and cassis. A touch of black cherry, with nuances of chocolate and blueberry. Concentrated fruit with a hint of dusty, earthy overtones from the Dry Creek Valley Terroir. Good structure, nice tannins, log finish.” - <em>Winemaker, Phyllis Zouzounis</em><br/><br/> About The Winery: Twelve years ago, Raymond Burr and I walked the rolling bench of Dry Creek Valley, the manzanita-covered foot of Bradford Mountain. Our dream took shape with the first plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon in 1986, and now comes to fruition with this brilliantly-complex wine. Only 1,040 cases were produced which have rested for 18 months in oak barrels before being bottled in November of 1992. I release this vintage in tribute to his vision and impeccable taste.<br/><em>-Robert Benevides</em><br/><br/> Thus, the back label of the 1990 Raymond Burr Cabernet Sauvignon the premier vintage of this vineyard.<br/><br/> Raymond Burr and Robert Benevides had met, as professional actors, in the middle 1950s on the television program which was to make a legend of Burr, "Perry Mason." Motivated in the beginning by friendship, the Burr/Benevides relationship was bolstered and advanced by their individual interest in, and knowledge of, the cultivation and hybridization of orchids. In the next several years this shared hobby began to grow until the obvious resolution was to make it a commercial venture. And so, Sea God Nurseries was born, becoming in the 20-odd years of its life an international presence with ranges in Fiji, Hawaii, the Azores Islands and in Southern California. During this period, the partnership was responsible for over 1,500 new orchids added to the world-wide catalogue.<br/><br/> The Winemaker: <strong>Phyllis Zouzounis</strong> - Pioneer woman winemaker, Phyllis Zouzounis came to Raymond Burr Vineyards at the beginning of the 2006 grape harvest. The terraced hillside, along with the soil and temperatures of the Raymond Burr benchland estate enticed Phyllis to this special spot.<br/><br/> Phyllis is not new to the Dry Creek Valley. She began her winemaking career working at Dry Creek Vineyard in 1980. After 15 years of experience there she moved on as winemaker and general manager of another Dry Creek winery just down the road, Mazzocco Vineyards. In 1987 Phyllis and her partner, Jim Penpraze, started their own Dry Creek winery, Deux Amis, making award winning Zinfandels.<br/><br/> Zouzounis believes grapes grown in the Dry Creek Valley can produce high quality wines. The 100% estate grown vineyards at Raymond Burr offer her the challenge to produce great Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and rich, fruity Chardonnay. "Great wine starts in the vineyard with quality grapes. The Raymond Burr vineyard is a good example of this," she will tell you. "Because it is an estate vineyard winery, this allows Raymond Burr Vineyards to create and preserve the quality in the vineyard first and then follow through to the finished wine."<br/><br/> Phyllis Zouzounis is a great believer in balance. "My focus is balance. Balance of the vine, balance of the fruit and balance in the wine."<br/><br/> Technical Analysis: <strong>Winemaker:</strong> Phyllis Zouzounis<br/><br/> <strong>Vintage:</strong> 2007<br/><br/> <strong>Appellation:</strong> 100% Dry Creek Vallley<br/><br/> <strong>Vineyard:</strong> This single vineyard wine from Raymond Burr estate vines<br/><br/> <strong>Varietal blend:</strong> 100% Estate Cabernet Sauvignon<br/><br/> <strong>Barrel Aging:</strong> 22 months in American Oak<br/><br/> <strong>Harvested:</strong> October 15, 2007<br/><br/> <strong>Brix at harvest:</strong> 24.6<br/><br/> <strong>Bottled:</strong> September 22, 2009<br/><br/> <strong>Alcohol:</strong> 13.4% by volume<br/><br/> <strong>Acid:</strong> 0.59g/10mml<br/><br/> <strong>pH:</strong> 3.73<br/><br/>