Winemaker Notes
Ripe aromas of cassis, black cherry and cedar open to background notes of black licorice and cocoa. The palate mirrors the aromas amidst a rich, firmly structured texture and lengthy finish. The 2003 Archipel is a superb accompaniment to grilled red meats, sausages, hearty stews and aged cheeses such as cheddar and Parmigiano-Regianno.
"Attractive, forward, luscious, and hedonistic, this deep ruby-colored 2003 exhibits medium to full body, silky tannin, and plenty of fruit as well as character. It, too, will drink well for 7-8 years. 88-91 points"
Wine Advocate, Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.