VARIETAL | Our 2006 Winemaker’s Claret is a full bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Taking the best characteristics from each varietal, the 06 Claret has the backbone and weight of a Cabernet balanced by the round smoothness of Merlot. Select vineyard blocks from five of our favorite Sonoma Valley sites were chosen barrel by barrel for our Winemakers Claret.

VINTAGE | The 2006 vintage was truly a year won in the vineyard. A heat spike that lasted a record 10 days in July had growers nervous about sunburn on the ripening grapes. Then came the rains, which sent us rushing to leaf the vines, allowing sunshine and air to reach the clusters. Botrytis was a threat for a time, especially to Chardonnay. But late October saw a change in the weather and a change in our expectations for the vintage. The rains stopped and the climate warmed, giving grapes the time on the vines needed to reach full maturation. Overall, it was a late harvest of excellent quality fruit.

WINE | In the nose, our 2006 Winemaker’s Claret has clean herbal aromas followed by cassis, mulberry, vanilla, and cedar. A dry wine with medium body, in the glass there are flavors of cherry, crème de cassis, black licorice, and chocolate covered espresso bean. Balanced tannins and acidity give way to a long, dry finish. Pair this wine with a Benziger favorite – beef tenderloin in a tart berry reduction.