ESTATE WINES

AmByth Estate believes in producing wines that are made with minimal intervention: letting the wine make itself. We do not use additives or other winemaking gimmics to manipulate the fruit that comes from our vineyards. Many factors influence that year’s crop, and we want to taste these influences in the wine. We do not fine or filter and we use only native yeasts. We also strive to produce wines lower in alcohol levels, so that we have drinkable wines which create that magical harmony between wine and food. (I recently read somewhere that wine is the lover of food, I appreciate this sentiment very much and believe in this philosophy when making wine.)

On a personal note, AmByth Estate has yet to hire outside labor for harvest. We have been blessed with willing friends and family to arrive before the sun rises, in very cold temperatures, and get to work to bring in the fruit before it is warmed by the sun. Thank you to everyone, you are a part of AmByth Estate—forever in our minds!

 

Vintage: 2006 

Grenache Blend: The fruit comes from Mark’s Vineyard and was picked on fruit days according to the Biodynamic calendar. The Mourvedre was picked on a beautiful cool morning, arriving at the winery by 9 a.m., the grapes measured 51 degrees (perfect!) The Grenache was our largest crop-load, and the final harvest to ripen. It was lightly stomped, Phillip’s note is: perfect, sweet fruit.

Blend: 61% Grenache-28% Mourvedre-11% Syrah
Oak: 25% new Radoux central European, medium toast, tight grained barrels and 75% neutral barrels.
The Numbers: Alcohol-13.2%, VA-0.072, TA 0.58
Cases: 92

Tasting Notes:  This wine is loaded with tantalizing aromas of fresh cherries, raspberries & orange rind.   It displays attractive game-like, raspberry, fig, and peppery notes, abundant spice, dark fruits, medium body, and admirable acidity as well as freshness.  On your palate experience flavors of ripe cherries and pomegranates.

 

Grenache Blend: Same blend as above but with zero sulphites added.
Oak: All neutral oak barrels
Cases: 24

Tasting Notes:  This wine exhibits complexity and intriguing aromas of black fruit.  The taste is bright with good acidity and elegance.

 

Sangiovese/Tempranillo: We decided on this unconventional blend to create an interesting combination of tannins and acidity. The Tempranillo was picked on a fruit day, in a healthy morning fog moving in and out of the vineyard. The grapes were lightly foot stomped leaving approximately 75% of the stems whole berry. The morning of the Sangiovese harvest began very warm, with no cool fog to keep the temperatures of the fruit low, but we picked on a flower day. Phillip decided to leave the grapes whole for 2 days to give the enzymes a chance to break down the fruit without fermenting.

Blend: 50% Sangiovese, 50% Tempranillo
Oak: 100% new American (Minnesota) oak barrels.
The Numbers: Alcohol-12%, VA-0.080, TA-0.55
Cases: 24

Tasting Notes:  Enjoy the aromas of coconut and fennel.  The flavors of bright cherries are prevalent and the acid and tannins are beautifully balanced.  This wine is sexy and seductive.

 

Viognier: Coming later this year.

 

 

 

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Estate Wines Available in 2009:

2007 Mourvedre

2007 Grenache

2007 Grenache / Mourvedre / Syrah

2007 Viognier

2007 Tempranillo / Sangiovese

**Some of the wines above will also be available with zero added sulfites.