At last the 2005 Tempranillo is here.  The 2004 Tempranillo sold out in less than three months, so a lot of people have been waiting a long time for this one and it will not last long.  With only 130 cases produced, the wine club will get first dibs on this wine, so if you like it get what you want now at the discounted reorder rate.  Tempranillo is the main varietal in Spain’s Rioja region and it is perfectly suited to Paso Robles hot dry summers.  Plumy smooth stone fruit flavors abound with a well balanced vanilla mid-palate and a smooth grain tannin finish. Aged in Hungarian oak barrels, there is a slight spiciness that comes through on the finish that will pair well with pork dishes, lamb or a nice filet of beef.  Due to increasing demand for this varietal, we are trying to increase our program for the upcoming vintages, and we planting some Tempranillo as well.

14.8% alc, 130 cases produced.

The Hillside Vineyard at O’Neill Vineyards is hand manicured to produce ultra low yields resulting in highly extracted, intense varietal character type wines. The 2004 Zinfandel is no exception. Intense canopy management techniques and a deficit irrigation program give these Hillside wines a higher skin to juice ratio that makes wines with big extraction levels. This Zin has strawberry cherry flavors up front with a jammy stonefruit midpalate, and a cinnamon spice and chewy oak finish. Well balanced at only 14.7% alcohol, this wine has been very popular and is nearly sold out. The last hurrah will be at this year's 2008 Zinfandel Festival with approximately 15 cases left for sale. The new 2005 Zin’s and Primitivo will released in late spring and are tasting great, so stay tuned.

14.6% alc, 190 cases produced