Bell Wine Cellars - RED WINES

2011 Big Guy, Red Wine, California

Fri, 7 Jun 2013 11:17:00 GMT

2011 Big Guy, Red Wine, California
Buy Now: $25.00

After many years of faithfully welcoming guests to the winery, Ty (our Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier whom Anthony calls “Big Guy”) shares his own favorite wine for those lovely BBQ dinners he so enjoys. Don’t forget to share a tidbit with your faithful friend, and ENJOY!

The 2011 growing season was the most challenging in Anthony’s 35 vintages in Napa Valley, characterized by uncharacteristically cool temperatures, uncertainty, ill-timed rain, and crop loss. A wet winter and spring continued with unusual rainfall into mid-June that delayed bloom and disrupted fruit set in parts of the region. Some vineyards saw more than 30% loss of crop. There were few days over 90 degrees during summer, and autumn started with some rare early rain storms. Overall the cooler-than-average growing season saw more than a third above normal in rainfall and ended in the latest harvest in anyone's memory. This was truly the year of the professional. Vineyard managers, cellar masters and winemakers used every tool available to them to achieve glory. At Bell, careful selection of vineyards, painstaking work during harvest and in the cellar, and of course Anthony’s decades of experience have paid off resulting in truly elegant wines.

Tasting Notes
The 2011 Big Guy Red is a blend of five varietals. The Malbec gives the wine a hint of violets and mocha, while Syrah from the Canterbury Vineyard in the Sierra foothills lends a ripe, luscious spice nose to the wine. The result is a wine with lively fruit aromas, rich, ripe red berry, and cocoa flavors wrapped in a blanket of toasted oak and soft, supple tannins in a persistent finish. This is a wine for every day drinking, whether on the patio with grilled chicken or in the dinning room with roasted duck.

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2009 Bell Claret, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:39:00 GMT

2009 Bell Claret, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Buy Now: $45.00

What is Claret?
Claret was first used in popular English literature sometime before 1350. Claret, or Bordeaux as it is sometimes called, is a red wine, not too dark in color with a medium body, good fruit flavor and bouquet.

The Wine
Our Napa Valley Claret is a blend created from select barrel lots of wine drawn from our Napa Cabernet blend. These lots display lively fruit aromas and flavors with a soft, supple tannin structure. Created in response to requests from winery guests to produce a cabernet that did not 'bite,’ the addition of Syrah softens the tannins on the palate and adds fruit to the finish. This makes this wine approachable at an earlier age, while still having a layered tannin structure that will allow the wine to develop for several years.

Tasting Notes
The Claret has multiple layers of fruit derived from the five grapes used in the blend. The fruit of the Syrah enhances the bouquet and the entry of the wine onto the palate. The dark berry flavors of the Merlot linger on the palate, and the cocoa finish is distinctly Cabernet Sauvignon. Soft on the approach, the tannins build up on the back palate, yielding an approachable Cabernet that pairs well with pizza, grilled meats; or simply enjoy with friends.

Vintage Notes
The 2009 harvest was a bit on the late side, which, considering the dry spring, was a good development. It was an easy summer with no shriveled fruit leading to beautifully aromatic fermentations. Our rainfall was slightly above two-thirds of normal for the third year in a row; however, the timing of the precipitation was on the vine’s side. Together with the lack of frost and the mild relatively cool growing season, Mother Nature managed to provide it all, giving the vines and grapes the best scenario possible. Late spring rains delayed irrigation needs and the warm spell in June helped curtail excessive canopy development. While nearly 14 days of 100°f plus temperatures mark a typical growing season, 2009 counted perhaps only four or five overall, again helping to reduce demand for water and allowing the fruit to develop full flavors without fear of raisining or sunburn.

Technical Analysis
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Merlot (11%), Syrah (6%), Cabernet franc (2%) Malbec (1%)
Appellation: Napa Valley (100%)
Total Acid0.63 gm/100ml
pH3.87
Alcohol14.7%

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2009 Bell Cabernet Sauvignon, Clone 6, Rutherford, Napa Valley

Fri, 5 Apr 2013 14:39:00 GMT

2009 Bell Cabernet Sauvignon, Clone 6, Rutherford, Napa Valley
Buy Now: $130.00

Following his work identifying the differences between various Cabernet sauvignon clones, Anthony Bell spent many hours introducing Clone 6 to the Beckstoffer Georges III vineyard in Rutherford.

Vintage Notes
The 2009 harvest was a bit on the late side, which, considering the dry spring, was a good development. It was an easy summer with no shriveled fruit leading to beautifully aromatic fermentations. Our rainfall was slightly above two-thirds of normal for the third year in a row; however, the timing of the precipitation was on the vine’s side. Together with the lack of frost and the mild, relatively cool growing season, Mother Nature managed to provide it all, giving the vines and grapes the best scenario possible. Late spring rains delayed irrigation needs and the warm spell in June helped curtail excessive canopy development. 2009 counted only four or five days over 100°F overall, helping to reduce demand for water and allowing the fruit to develop full flavors without fear of raisining or sunburn.

Tasting Notes
This wine is characterized by deep red color with a purple hue and displays tannins that are smooth and supple. On the nose, aromas of cassis and dark fruit abound with an undertone of blueberry. On the palate, an explosion of blackberry, dark cherry and dark chocolate combine beautifully with the vanilla and cedar notes of French oak bringing a polished finish to the wine. Concentrated flavors, abundant fruit and lively acidity and a long, persistent finish present a finely balanced wine consistent with the classic Bordeaux style of our prior releases. This vintage shows great potential and promises to be long lived.

Technical Analysis
Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon, 100%, Clone 6
Source Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard, Rutherford, Napa Valley
Harvest DateOctober 24-27, 2009
Harvest Sugar23.4 Brix
Harvest Acid0.57 gm/100ml
Total Acid0.69 gm/100ml
pH3.77
Alcohol13.8%
Aging26 months in 93% French Oak, 7% American, 100% new
Bottle DateJuly 2011
Production694 six-bottle cases

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2011 Bell Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:49:00 GMT

2011 Bell Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR
Buy Now: $36.00

Viticulture
Winegrowing in Oregon's Willamette Valley has been well establishedsince the 1860s. The Valley is a large and climatically diverseregion extending more than 150 miles from Portland to Eugene,dwarfing valleys such as Napa. Since the valley is exposed directlyto maritime airflow off the Pacific Ocean, site selection andmanagement is absolutely critical to fruit quality. Winters aremild, but cool, wet summers make the work of achieving optimumripeness and balance every winemaker’s challenge. Our Pinot noircomes from a vineyard in the southern part of the valley,specifically situated above the fog line of the Valley floor, butbelow the wind line where ripeness is often impaired. The gentlysloping, southern facing vineyards, featuring brick-red volcanicsoils that drain particularly well, produce a Pinot noir displayingdark ruby coloring and a robust palate.
In Oregon, each vintage is an expression of that year and place.Our Oregon Collection wines exhibit not only the classiccharacteristics of their varietals, but also unique nuances intheir flavor profiles.

Vintage Notes
The 2011 growing season in the North Willamette Valley was cool andvery long. The harvest was one of the latest on record with growersand vintners nervously watching the sky. Perfect weather atflowering caused the vines to set a very large crop, but cool,cloudy weather in late spring and early summer slowed ripening.Heat accumulation over the season was one of the lowest in decades.Many growers thinned the crop significantly to encourage ripeningof remaining bunches, but potential yields were still 50 to 100percent larger than normal. The good news is that the long hangtime in the vineyard produced wonderful flavors, and a late summersaved the day in what they are calling the “miracle vintage.”Tasting Notes
Our Willamette Valley Pinot noir has a bright cranberry color witharomas of spice and ripe red raspberries. On the palate, flavors ofmineral and cherries give way to hints of toasty oak. This OregonPinot noir has a core of bright acidity and fine tannins thatenhances the delicate flavors of this wine. Lamb, duck or salmonpair well with this delightful wine.

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2010 Bell Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 12:34:00 GMT

2010 Bell Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Buy Now: $65.00

The Wine
Our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend created from select vineyards and appellations within the renowned Napa Valley. Drawing on his experience with Cabernet Sauvignon clones and his intimate knowledge of sub-appellations within the region, Anthony has created a wine that builds upon the unique terroir of Napa Valley. Our 2010 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (81%), Merlot (12%), Cabernet franc (4%), Syrah (3%) from vineyards in Rutherford, Yountville, and Mount Veeder. The wine was aged in a combination of French (60%) and American (40%) oak barrels, of which 60% were new barrels, for 20 months. The wine was not fined and received a screen filtration prior to bottling.

Vintage Notes
The 2010 vintage was characterized by cooler than normal growing conditions resulting in a later than usual start of the harvest. Rainfall returned in 2010 after three dry years, pushed bud break, flowering and fruit-set back by at least two weeks at the front end of the growing season, and due to the cloud cover, there was fortunately no frost damage in 2010. Veraison was two to three weeks later than usual, and the cool weather continued during the summer. A two-day heat spike in late August (the only one of the season!) caused some sunburn damage, especially in vineyards where aggressive leaf removal had recently been undertaken in anticipation of a late, wet harvest. The long, cool growing season resulted in concentrated fruit flavors, great natural acidity and flavors that will materialize into elegant, structured wines, almost European in style. A very promising vintage for our style of wines.

Tasting Notes
The 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet is a wonderful example of why Napa Valley is a great place to grow the red Bordeaux varietals. In the glass, the wine shows its dark ruby color while aromas of cassis and dark berries rise up to your nose. The medium body tannins and sweet oak give way to flavors of coffee and cocoa. The wine’s layers of complexity are derived from grapes grown in selected vineyards in the Rutherford, Yountville, and Mount Veeder AVAs. The Cabernet franc add flavors of earth, mineral, and mushrooms, while the Syrah brings spice and rich fruit to the wine. Crafted in a rich, concentrated European style, this wine pairs well with flavorful, full-bodied meals, and will develop a harmonious smoothness with age. Excellent today, the wine will also reward those with the patience to cellar it.

Technical Analysis
VarietalCabernet Sauvignon (81%), Merlot (12%), Cabernet franc (4%), Syrah (3%)
Appellation Napa Valley
Total Acid0.61 gm/100ml
pH3.80
Alcohol14.6%
Aging20 months in 60% French, 40% American Oak, 60% new
Bottle DateJuly 2012
Production500 cases (6-pack)

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2009 Bell Petite Sirah, Massa Ranch, Yountville

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 15:52:00 GMT

2009 Bell Petite Sirah, Massa Ranch, Yountville
Buy Now: $45.00

There is nothing petite about Petite Sirah. This black grape, grown throughout the warmer regions of California, produces teeth-staining, brawny wines with dark berry and plum fruit, a grind of spice (usually black pepper) and sturdy tannins. Once considered a rustic wine, California Petite Sirah has become softer and more polished in recent years, as winemakers have learned to tame the tannins and astringency with various techniques in the vineyard and cellar. Petite Sirah -- intentionally misspelled "Petite Syrah" by some producers -- is the same as Durif, a workhorse grape of southern France. Petite Sirah is also related to "regular" Syrah; Syrah is Petite's father, Peloursin the mother. Despite their common genes, Petite Sirah and Syrah are very different wines -- the "petite" son has more muscles and hair on his chest than Dad. – Source: Linda Murphy, San Francisco Chronicle, January 2006

Vintage Notes
The 2009 harvest was a bit on the late side, which, considering the dry spring, was a good development. It was an easy summer with no shriveled fruit leading to beautifully aromatic fermentations. Our rainfall was only two-thirds of normal for the third year in a row; however, the timing of the precipitation was on the vine’s side. Together with the lack of frost and the mild relatively cool growing season, Mother Nature managed to provide it all, giving the vines and grapes the best scenario possible. Late spring rains delayed irrigation needs and the warm spell in June helped curtail excessive canopy development. While nearly 14 days of 100°f plus temperatures mark a typical growing season, 2009 counted perhaps only four or five overall, again helping to reduce demand for water and allowing the fruit to develop full flavors without fear of raisining or sunburn.

Tasting Notes
Our 2009 Petite sirah is deep in color, with black pepper and herb notes on the nose, ripe flavors of currants and plums, and delivering luscious fruit flavors on the palate. In addition to the deep color and firm tannins one often associates with this variety, the cooler Yountville climate delivers an additional dimension – lively acidity, giving the wine bright fruit flavors. These rich fruit flavors combine with sweet, toasty oak and firm tannins to make this a rich and complex wine that can develop for years to come. Try this wine with rich meat dishes of lamb, pork or game and their hearty sauces.

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2010 Bell Merlot, Yountville, Napa Valley

Fri, 4 Jan 2013 13:03:00 GMT

2010 Bell Merlot, Yountville, Napa Valley
Buy Now: $50.00

Vineyard
Our Merlot grapes are estate grown on the winery’s Spanos-Berberian Estate Vineyard in Yountville approximately one mile south of the Yountville Hills. Yountville enjoys the early morning fog and cool growing conditions of the maritime influenced southern Napa Valley, whilst the early receding fog gives us more sunlight and warmer daytime temperatures than the more southerly Carneros region. Our warm summer daytime temperatures and cool evenings result in grapes with rich fruit flavors and an excellent acid balance.

Vintage Notes
The 2010 vintage was characterized by cooler than normal growing conditions resulting in a later than usual start of the harvest. Rainfall returned in 2010 after three dry years, pushed bud break, flowering and fruit-set back by at least two weeks at the front end of the growing season, and due to the cloud cover, there was fortunately no frost damage in 2010. Veraison was two to three weeks later than usual, and the cool weather continued during the summer. A two-day heat spike in late August (the only one of the season!) caused some sunburn damage, especially in vineyards where aggressive leaf removal had recently been undertaken in anticipation of a late, wet harvest. The long, cool growing season resulted in concentrated fruit flavors, great natural acidity and flavors that will materialize into elegant, structured wines, almost European in style.

Tasting Notes
The 2010 Merlot is a firmly structured wine that will please even a Cabernet wine lover. The wine is bright with a rich mouth feel with flavors of plum and tobacco. The tannins are firm but not gritty and the dry finish is integrated with spicy sweet oak. The rich depth of the wine comes from the low crop yields of the vines. We thin the leafy canopy to expose the fruit to dappled sunlight and remove some of the grape clusters to ensure evenly mature fruit - yielding a rich, full bodied wine with a lovely structure.

Technical Analysis
Varietal Merlot (98%), Cabernet sauvignon (2%)
Appellation Yountville, Napa Valley
Harvest Sugar23.1 Brix
Harvest Acid0.39 gm/100ml
Total Acid0.65 gm/100ml
pH3.56
Alcohol13.4%
Aging19 months in oak, 100% new barrels,
57% French, 43% American
Bottle DateJuly 2011
Production613 six-pack cases

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2008 Bell Syrah, Canterbury Vineyards, Sierra Foothills

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 10:28:00 GMT

2008 Bell Syrah, Canterbury Vineyards, Sierra Foothills
Buy Now: $36.00

Vineyards
In 1997 we produced our first Syrah from Ian and Elena Renner’sCanterbury Vineyard at the 2,200 foot elevation in the SierraFoothills. Uniquely situated on a peninsula surrounded on threesides by the large New Mellones Dam, and with full westernexposure, the 8-acre vineyard enjoys a microclimate with warm sunnydays, no fog, and moderated by cool afternoon breezes off the dam.Well drained soils with a shallow layer of schist restricts rootgrowth, resulting in vines that yield intensely flavored fruit.

Vintage Notes
The 2008 growing season began with heavy rains which soon waned andfor the second year in a row the Valley received about 60% ofnormal rainfall. The dry soils and warm spring led to an early budbreak. The frost season was one of the worst in 30 years, with 22to 24 days of protection required. Areas that had not experiencedfrost were not spared and, once all the grapes were harvested, ourtotal crop was off 40%. Some rain occurred during bloom and thesummer was relatively cool, delaying veraison. Green thinning andcanopy management were a necessity to bring vines into balance. Aheat spell over Labor Day brought maturity levels along quickly andthen cooled down to allow gradual ripening. Light rains during thelatter part of harvest had little impact. Overall, the low yieldingvintage has produced elegant wines with deep color, high naturalacidity and firm tannins.

Tasting Notes
Our 2008 Syrah is a dark ruby red wine with spice and cracked whitepepper aromas. This is a dense, rich wine that is incrediblycomplex with layers of licorice and cedar, and finishes with sweetsmoky oak. The endless finish confirms the unique qualities of theCanterbury Vineyard. This delicious wine is a nice alternative forthose seeking a rich, round, well-balanced yet softer style wine. Agreat companion to food, this wine will continue to maturegracefully for many years. Technical Analysis Varietal Syrah SourceCanterbury Vineyard, Sierra Foothills Harvest Sugar 28.5 BrixHarvest Acid 0.48 gm/100ml Total Acid 0.66 gm/100ml pH 3.53 Alcohol14.6% Aging Aged 30 months in French (50%) and (50%) American Oak,(57% new) Bottle Date July 2011 Production 1,289 Cases

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2007 Bell Syrah, Massa Ranch, Yountville

Tue, 5 Jul 2011 14:12:00 GMT

2007 Bell Syrah, Massa Ranch, Yountville
Buy Now: $50.00

Vineyard
Our 2007 Syrah, Estrella clone, is grown on the Massa Ranch, our neighbors here in Yountville. Proximity to the San Francisco bay and its moderating influences produces wines deep in color with rich, concentrated fruit flavor and lovely acidity.

Vintage Notes
The 2007 growing season was a wonderful year for grape growing. Overall, it was very dry and cool. Winter temperatures were warmer than normal into spring resulting in earlier budding, bloom and set in the vineyards across all varieties. Few days in summer topped 100 degrees, with fewer days in the 90s than normal. This meant less irrigation, allowing the grapes to mature naturally and slowly. A brief heat spike around Labor Day added the boost of sugar development that growers were looking for to complement the excellent acid. Harvest commenced in mid-August and was evenly paced. With wines of incredible intensity and concentration, 2007 looks to be the best vintage in many years.

Tasting Notes
Our 2007 Syrah exhibits wonderful varietal character. Deep purple-ruby in color with spicy fruit aromas, the wine has a rich mouthfeel and distinct, yet elegant, tannins. The oak flavors are in balance with the fruit acidity and fruit flavor to yield an appealing wine, bright on the palate. Aging 20 months in small oak barrels added complexity and finesse, without overpowering the supple fruit. A great companion to food, this wine will continue to mature gracefully for many years.

Technical Analysis:
Varietal Syrah, 100%
Source Massa Ranch,Yountville, Napa Valley
Harvest Sugar27.4 Brix
Harvest Acid0.47 gm/100ml
Total Acid0.58 gm/100ml
pH 3.90
Alcohol 15.1%
Aging 20 months in oak, 100% new, 75% French, 25% American
Bottle Date April 2009
Production 198 Cases

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2007 Bell Syrah, Canterbury Vineyards, Block 6, Sierra Foothills

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:58:00 GMT

2007 Bell Syrah, Canterbury Vineyards, Block 6, Sierra Foothills
Buy Now: $50.00

Vineyard
In 1997 we produced our first Syrah from Ian and Elena Renner’s Canterbury Vineyard at the 2,000 foot elevation in the Sierra Foothills. Uniquely situated on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the large New Mellones Dam, and with full western exposure, the vineyard enjoys a microclimate with warm sunny days, no fog, and moderated by cool afternoon breezes off the dam. Well-drained soils with a shallow layer of schist restricts root growth, resulting in vines that yield intensely flavored fruit. Block 6 with its steep slopes, well-drained schist soils, and vines cooled by afternoon breezes, yeilds intensely flavored grapes. This wine is aged for a longer period in newer French oak barrels, resulting in a deep dark tannic red wine capable of many years of aging.

Vintage Notes
The 2007 growing season was a wonderful year for grape growing. Overall, it was a very dry, cool. Winter temperatures were warmer than normal into spring resulting in earlier budding, bloom and set in the vineyards across all varieties. Few days in summer topped 100 degrees, fewer days in the 90s than normal, and this meant less irrigation, allowing the grapes to mature naturally and slowly. A brief heat spike around Labor Day added the boost of sugar development that growers were looking for to complement the excellent acid structure developed in the white varieties. Harvest commenced in mid-August and was evenly paced. With wines of incredible intensity and concentration, 2007 looks to be the best vintage in many years.

Vinification
Syrah grapes were gently crushed to minimize crushing of berries and maximize fruit character. We fermented at 85 degrees-F with a Syrah yeast strain, and extracted color utilizing gentle irrigation over the skins. The wine underwent malo-lactic fermentation and was barrel aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 14 months. The wine was not fined and received one filtration prior to bottling. The resulting blend received three months of bottle age prior to release.

Tasting Notes
Our 2007 Syrah exhibits wonderful varietal character. Deep ruby in color with spicy, peppery fruit aromas, the wine has good acidity, with a rich, luscious mouthfeel and soft, elegant tannins. The oak flavors are in balance with the fruit acidity and fruit flavor to yield an appealing wine, bright on the palate, with great depth and concentration. Often described by our guests as “yummy,” this delicious wine is a nice alternative for those seeking a rich, round, well-balanced yet softer style wine. A great companion to food, this wine will continue to mature gracefully for many years. Richly flavored and with great concentration, this wine illustrates the great potential of the Canterbury Vineyard.

Technical Analysis:
Varietal Syrah
SourceCanterbury Vineyard,
Sierra Foothills
Harvest Sugar29.6 Brix
Harvest Acid0.45 gm/100ml
Total Acid0.57 gm/100ml
pH3.76
Alcohol15.1%
Aging14 months in French (58%) and (42%) American Oak, (42% new)
Bottle DateApril 20, 2009
Production297 Cases

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