ROBERT CRAIG

Robert Craig is a small, ultra-premium winery, renowned for hand-crafting limited quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon. Robert Craig has consistently ranked among the foremost Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon producers since its founding in 1992 and has been named one of California?s top 25 "five-star" wineries. The Robert Craig wine program is based on the concept of "Two Mountains and a Valley," which showcases three limited-production Cabernet Sauvignons. Each of these wines conveys the "terroir" of the growing region?s unique soils, climate, and varietal characteristics. Although the vineyards used to make these wines are only a few miles apart, each Cabernet has very distinctive profile of aromas and flavors. The Robert Craig winemaking style emphasizes rich, concentrated fruit flavors and ripe, approachable tannins, creating wines that are delicious and inviting upon release, with all of the structure for long-term aging.

?This is an immensely admirable offering from Robert Craig. This impressive, concentrated red reflects a synthesis between the elegant, austere Bordeaux-styled Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, and the extravagant, ripe, jammy characteristics found in wines fashioned from California's warmer micro-climates as well as richer soils. I continue to be impressed with the Bordeaux-like elegance displayed by Robert Craig's wines. While there is no shortage of California-like fruit and intensity, they also reveal restraint as well as a measured feel despite their bigness.? Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

www.robertcraigwine.com

Chardonnay Sonoma

Chardonnay Russian River
Crafted from a highly prized Russian River vineyard source, this Chardonnay emphasizes the rich fruit, smooth creamy texture, and lively mineral notes that are characteristic of a White Burgundy. Extended lees contact and full barrel fermentation add complexity and texture. Elegant nose of apricots and pineapple, surrounded by hints of cream, mineral and oat. Layered mouthful of dried apricot, peach and melon, with added smoky, toasty notes. Generous fruit lingers, enriched by touches of candied apricots, caramel and brown sugar. Complex, lively and appealing.

"Sporting a fine balance between the vitality inherent in Russian River fruit and the richer aspects of well-managed ripeness and handsome oak, this deep and well-formed youngster marries a good dose of sweet barrel spice with lots of energetic, juicy apple themes." 90 Connoisseurs' Guide 6/03
"A streak of lime and green fig flavors provide a tight beam of flavor in this rich, spicy effort. Picks up a touch of hazelnut and anise on a long, elegant aftertaste. Drink now through 2006. 395 cases made." Wine Spectator Web

Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
The 2000 Howell Mountain Cabernet showcases the pure, dark fruit flavors, warm spice nuances, broad ripe tannins, and exceptionally fine structure that make Howell Mountain a world-renowned source of powerful Cabernet Sauvignons. Signature black fruit, cracked white pepper, cassis and tobacco are in the forefront, with subtle hints of smoky oak. An intricate matrix of rich currant, blackberry, dusty mountain earth and pepper, further enlivened by herb nuances. Flavors build and expand with more black fruit, mocha, and vanilla that linger on the palate.

"EXCEPTIONAL. Dense as a Howell Mountain grown Cabernet can be, this remains tightly built, voluptuous rather than monstrous. Restrained notes of black currant carry off into a puff of smoke, leaving a rich impression that would meld with magret of duck. Age will only enhance its complexity." 92 Wine & Spirits 10/04
"Pretty closed down and tannic now, but keep on chewing and you'll hit cherries and blackberries. That core is pure and rich and fruity sweet, but it will take time to assert itself. Enjoy now with a good steak or stick in the cellar for a long time." 92 The Wine Enthusiast 10/04
 "Wins points for its delicate, understated richness and balance, offering complex herb, spice, currant and earthy anise scents. Gains depth and nuance on the long, rich aftertaste. Best from 2004 through 2010. 900 cases made." The Wine Spectator 10/15/03

Cabernet Sauvignon Mt Veeder
Crafted from a single-vineyard source located high on a western ridgetop above Napa Valley, this wine expresses the essential Mt. Veeder character in its dense, generous black fruit integrated with fine, ripe tannins. 94% Cabernet, 3% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Expansive aromas of dark black fruit, dusty cedar, chocolate and mint, which deepen over time. Extra-rich, concentrated flavors of ripe black fruit, currant, and cassis, finished with a touch of mint, cream and spice. The solid, thick core of black fruit lengthens and combines with silky chocolate, cedar and cassis for a plush, long-lived finish.

"EXCEPTIONAL. A strapping young cabernet, this has mountain Zin's rusticity in its licorice flavors and floral scents of bergamot. The fruit is purple as an iris, elevated to a smoky intensity by black tannins. The structure gives it stature, verticality and the power to age. This should begin to show its best ten years from the vintage." 93 Wine and Spirits 10/04
"Cellar Selection. Tighter and more tannic than this winery's Howell Mountain bottling and moire concentrated in blackberry and cherry essence. This is an extraordinarily young wine that defines the vintage's potential. It requires patience, but the balance is such that it's a lock for the long haul. cellar until 2010 and beyond." 93 The Wine Enthusiast 10/04

 "This mountain-grown cabernet maintains a tension and austerity even as the fruit has ripened to a soft, blackberry jam. It's plump and generous, the fruit lasting against austere, mountain-grown tannins, a blanket of berries to pour over a bite of pepper steak." 90 Wine & Spirits 11-12/03
"Deftly balanced and plush, with a pleasant surge of ripe currant and cherry fruit that pushes through. Finishes with ripe, supple tannins and a touch of anise and sage. Best from 2004 through 2012. 1,790 cases made." The Wine Spectator 10/15/03

The opaque purple-colored 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder exhibits floral, raspberry, blueberry, and mineral notes. It does not possess the blockbuster richness of a vintage such as 1997, 1995, 1994, and 1991, but it offers medium body, sweet fruit, an intense mid-palate, and nicely integrated tannin, acidity, and alcohol in the long finish. Drink it over the next 10-12 years. ? 90 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate $141

Affinity
This Bordeaux-style Cabernet blend is renowned for its elegant structure, dark berry flavors, and smooth tannins. The 2000 Affinity blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc is created from premier Napa Valley floor vineyards, including their Coombsville estate, Rutherford, Oakville and Carneros districts. Enticing bouquet of sweet black cherry and ripe boysenberry surrounded by subtle hints of mocha, violet and spice. Intense and complex flavors spotlight black cherry and boysenberry interwoven with mineral notes, fresh herbs and tea. The flavors continue to unfold with dark fruit, mocha, earth, and sweet oak predominating. Full-bodied yet elegant, offering mouth-filling fruit, round tannins and excellent structure for aging.

"Lots to admire in this ripe, complex young wine, as it presents a rich array of plum, blackberry, toasty mocha-laced oak and a firm yet creamy texture before ending with chewy tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. best from 2005 through 2012." 91 The Wine Spectator 5/31/04
?If you like the dense, dark richness of Napa Cabernets, check out this slick blend. . . It?s black all the way through, melding the flavor of juicy black cherries with the blackened char of oak. . .A power red for an aged sirloin." 91 Wine & Spirits 06/04

Syrah Central Coast
Their first Central Coast Syrah presents a unique fusion of grapes from two exceptional wine growing regions, Paso Robles and Los Olivos in Santa Barbara County. The Santa Barbara terroir imparts a distinctive southern Rhone character of bright red fruit and spice, while Paso Robles contributes wild berry and creamy tropical fruit elements. Blend: 96% Syrah, 4% Merlot.

"Dense cherry, cassis, pepper, earth, and new oak aromas as well as flavors are present in this monolithic but sizeable 2001 Syrah. It will drink well for 4-5 years." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #148

465 cases made "This opaque ruby/purple-colored, seductive, smooth Syrah reveals notes of creosote intermixed with blackberry and mineral characteristics. Ripe, super-rich, complex, elegant, and layered, it is a promising effort from this producer, who is better known for his graceful, concentrated bevy of Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines. Drink it over the next 6-7 years." 90 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #139

Zinfandel Amador
This Zinfandel is a pure, concentrated Zinfandel that begins and ends with big, ripe fruit. Grapes for this wine come from a single vineyard where old, head-pruned vines are dry-farmed to produce small, flavor-packed berries with classic varietal character.

Robert Craig