Pepperwood Grove California Viognier 2004

The juice for Pepperwood Grove Viognier 2003 was sourced primarily from Clarksburg* (90%), where Winemaker Richard Bruno also sources Chenin Blanc for his other collaborative label, Vinum Cellars. Details are sketchy on their website, but it is likely that a portion of the blend saw some French oak, and a portion was probably sourced from Wilson Vineyards. The 2004 Viognier has just arrived, and the facts are not yet available.

Pepperwood Grove is a value oriented label put out by Don Sebastiani & Sons, a negociant wine merchant portfolio, begun in 2001**, and run by August and Donny Sebastiani. The Company neither grows or crushes grapes. 87.5 points. Color: Light lemon gold. Aromas: Peach, apple, honey, and hints of lime, spice and wood. The mouthfeel is light to medium bodied, a bit sweet up front then mildly tart. Juicy peach, citrus (lime/orange), and lightly spicy oak flavors finish crisply. Closure: Artificial composite cork. Retail: $9. Value: Very nice.

* Clarksburg is just south of Sacramento, along the Sacramento River. **In 2001, Don Sebastiani, youngest son of August (grandson of founder Samuele), sold the family's vineyards and winemaking facilities, and began Don Sebastiani & Sons, placing his sons in charge.

Comments

[jbs]

I had a bottle of Pepperwood Grove 2001 Pinot Noir last night at Cafe Mozart in San Francisco. It was absolutely the worst red wine I've ever had in a restaurant. I would like to provide this feedback to the winery, please.

There were four of us at the table, three of whom are wine drinkers. We all sent our wine back and my sister had the waiter cork the bottle and provide it to her to take home for cooking. Personally, I believe that if you cannot drink a wine, you should not cook with it. We were all very upset that the proprietor would not refund our money -- so we won't be going back to the restaurant and now have a really negative feeling about the winery also.

Too bad. We really are sad about this.

Bye

[Jerry]

Depending on how it had been stored, the 2001 vintage might have "lost it" due to aging. The 2004 is current and this is a wine made for drinking when it comes out, not for aging. A review of the 2004 Smoking Loon Pinot Noir, also put out by Don and Sons, is posted at: http://volunteer.blogs.com/winewaves/2006/02/smoking_loon_ca.html

[Don Sebastiani & Sons]

**2000 After growing from a two million case winery to eight million cases under Don’s watch, Sebastiani Vineyards sells its Central Valley assets, Turner Road winery, and Vendange, Talus, Nathanson Creek, Heritage, La Terre, and Farallon brands to Canandaigua Wines. With this sale, Don was able to return to his family all of the assets that he inherited 15 years earlier: the family retained the Sebastiani brand and the Sonoma winery and vineyards.

After overseeing the development and sale of the Turner Road winery and brands, Don Sebastiani steps down as CEO and Chairman of the 100 year-old family business; Don’s sister Mary Ann and her husband Richard Cuneo assume control of Sebastiani Vineyards.

[Jerry]

Thank You for the update!

[pat mc keever]

On a flight ex Ireland via London (british Airways) I drank a white chardonny Pepperwoodgrove-It was so good that I drank and purchased nothing for my 4 weeks holiday in the Napa Valley Where can I buy it in Ireland or U K .ASDA,Sainsburys,Tesco???.