A: Six unique wines, including the following three guaranteed bottles: One signed bottle of WineSmith 2007 Crucible, one WineSmith 2007 Russian River Pinot Noir, and a bottle of the Two Jakes 2010 Roman Reserve Cabernet Franc
Q: Will I receive anything else in this mystery case?
A: Three bottles of an awesome WineSmith wine determined solely by the hands of fate. Read all the words over there --> for more info.
Q: Will I receive a coupon for a Subway meatball sandwich?
A: No
Q: Will i receive fencing materials?
A: Do you mean sword-fighting stuff or materials for building an actual fence?
Q: Either?
A: No.
Q: So…all I get is the wine?
A: Yes. This is a wine site. It’s not mysteryfencingmaterials.woot.com
Clark Smith himself says: “This is our first Woot mystery six-pack. We have a large collection of library wines from ten to twenty years ago, and I’m using this opportunity to share them with our most deserving and supportive customers – the Woot tribe. These exist as one or two-case lots, most of which have never appeared on Woot, and after this will be gone forever. So you will be subject to the luck of the draw, and might be well-advised to compare your treasures with other Wooters and arrange some friendly cross-tastings.
There is much I can guarantee you. Each six-pack will contain six wines without duplication, all products of my winemaking vision. Three are guaranteed: one signed bottle of WineSmith 2007 Crucible (SRP $125), and one WineSmith 2007 Russian River Pinot Noir (SRP $50), plus we are using this opportunity for the world debut of the much-heralded Two Jakes 2010 Roman Reserve Cabernet Franc (SRP $50), my best CF ever, vinified in the same style as the legendary Roman Syrahs of yore.
2007 WineSmith “Crucible” Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, Signed by Clark Smith
The making of Crucible is our pride and joy, truly a labor of love. This is the Student Vineyard of Napa Valley College, where Clark taught Advanced Winemaking for many years. In 2003, Dean of Viticulture Stephen Krebs tore out most of the Chardonnay vines from which Faux Chablis was made and planted two German cold weather clones of Cabernet Sauvignon. Clones 337 and 15 possess unusual characteristics uniquely suited to this cool emerging appellation. When grown in warmer parts of the Napa Valley, an early ripening habit hampers full structural expression; however in the long ripening period created by close proximity to San Pablo Bay, they express massive structure, profound color and intense dark fruit aromatics.
Picked at the peak of phenolic ripeness, these small berries yield tiny volumes of intensely tannic juice packed with black fruit aromas. We applied the élevage teachings of our guru Patrick Ducournau to achieve aromatic integration on a scale seldom seen, resulting in a hollow soulfulness which captivates the spirit. The enormous dimensions of this pure Cabernet Sauvignon enabled 60 months in very old French oak to develop its complex flavors, which should gain depth for several decades.
Though the resulting wine possesses almost impossible density, its real allure is its regally understated aromatics which drag you into the glass, together with the refinement with which it carries its massive tannins. Its soulful “come hither” derives from the weight and finesse of its tannins, which serve to integrate its aromatics into a resonant “single voice.” We Smiths offer small lots of extraordinary hand-crafted wines which explore French winemaking traditions in California.
2007 WineSmith Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
The Lynmar Estate vineyard just north of Sebastopol is one of the most renowned Pinot Noir vineyards in the famed Russian River.
The 2007 harvest was extraordinary in this region. Fair weather at bloom gave us excellent set with high numbers of seeds per berry. A relatively cool summer extended the growing season so that ripening occurred in cool weather when flavors could develop gradually without excessive alcohol. Such wines can have unbelievable longevity potential which is seldom exploited.
We were equally fortunate to have an abundant supply of the previous vintage to allow us to hold this wine for an incredible 96 months in very old cooperage. The result combines classic black cherry characteristic of the region with soulful tertiary aromas of marzipan, truffle oil and toasted marshmallow which linger infinitely.
My cellar hands counsel us to serve this wine whenever romance needs a boost.
2010 Roman Reserve Cabernet Franc, Lake County
Diamond Ridge is located in a sunny high altitude site with rocky granitic soils which force Cabernet Franc to put its energy into pushing its roots down into the rock, resulting in a lively mineral energy in the wine’s finish. These conditions develop good color and firm but refined tannins which impart amazing age-worthiness.
Because of its proximity to Clear Lake, the site is also blessed with a “lake effect” -- a daily visit from the cooling breezes off this deep body of water, largest in the State. The consequence is that the plum and cinnamon aromas the grape develops are conserved. The combination of rich fruit aromatics, firm tannin structure and lively minerality make this among the most complete and collectible expressions of Cabernet Franc in the New World.
William Younger’s “Gods, Men and Wine” offers compelling evidence that the 1,000 year Roman winemaking tradition did not involve sulfites, and we have been exploring with this ancient winemaking tradition since 2001, finding it well suited to high altitude Cab Franc from volcanic soils. These wines seem to take care of themselves very well without added preservatives, offering up incredibly intricate aromatics full of mystery and soul. The difference reminds us of the extra flavor dimensionality one finds in the great unpasteurized French cheeses.
Remarkably stable, these wines require extensive barrel age and reward further cellaring. You will want to decant and breathe prior to serving, and will improve for several days after opening. Although suitable for current consumption with pork and cherries or grilled duck breast, this is really a collector’s wine which will benefit substantially from a few years in the cellar.
Our vineyards are located on the volcanic hillsides above the eastern shores of Clear Lake. Our grapes are some of the most sought after in Lake County. Cooling lake breezes preserve berry flavors, while our soils confer a refreshing minerality.
Lottery of Library Wines
Most of the lots in this category will go to only a dozen or so wooters. Each lucky few will be treated to a precious selection from the last case or two of Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Meritage, and other treasures, most from 10 to 20 years old and guaranteed to be in excellent condition. I hope you will arrange some get-togethers so these treasures can pass as many lips as possible, and that you will share your experiences of very fine and unique wines at their peak.
Clark Smith describes this very special Wine.Woot offer!
Specs
2007 WineSmith “Crucible” Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, Signed by Clark Smith
100% Cabernet Sauvignon: Napa Valley College “Student Vineyard” (south Napa town)
Harvested 24 October
25.3 Brix
Pasteur Red yeast
Fermentation techniques:
10 g.L Bois Frais Alliers chips
34-day maceration on 30% of volume
Elevage details:
Eight weeks microbüllage pre ML
60 months in neutral French oak
Alcohol sweet spot at 14.5%
pH 3.85 at bottling
Production: 145 Cases
2007 WineSmith Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Vineyard Location: Lynmar Estate Vineyard, Russian River Valley
50% Clone 115, 50% Clone 667
Harvest Date: 29 September 2007
Harvest Sugar: 24.2 Brix
Fermentation techniques:
50% Whole Cluster Punchdown
50% conventional crush / destem
Ausmannshausen yeast inoculum
Elevage details:
Malolactic fermentation in barrel
Neutral French oak aged 96 months
TA: 5.7 g/L
pH: 3.73 at bottling
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 297 cases
2010 Roman Reserve Cabernet Franc, Lake County
78% Cabernet Franc Clone 1
Estate vineyard, Clear Lake AVA
Harvested 16 October
24.2 Brix
22% Merlot Clone 181
Estate vineyard, Clear Lake AVA
Harvested 31 October
23.5 Brix
Fermentation techniques:
Anchor NT112 yeast
7 g/L untoasted Alliers chips
7-day maceration
Elevage details:
Three weeks microbüllage pre ML
60 months in neutral French oak
Alcohol sweet spot at 13.7%
pH 3.76 at bottling
Production: 125 cases
Specs
2007 WineSmith “Crucible” Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, Signed by Clark Smith
100% Cabernet Sauvignon: Napa Valley College “Student Vineyard” (south Napa town)
Harvested 24 October
25.3 Brix
Pasteur Red yeast
Fermentation techniques:
10 g.L Bois Frais Alliers chips
34-day maceration on 30% of volume
Elevage details:
Eight weeks microbüllage pre ML
60 months in neutral French oak
Alcohol sweet spot at 14.5%
pH 3.85 at bottling
Production: 145 Cases
2007 WineSmith Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Vineyard Location: Lynmar Estate Vineyard, Russian River Valley
50% Clone 115, 50% Clone 667
Harvest Date: 29 September 2007
Harvest Sugar: 24.2 Brix
Fermentation techniques:
50% Whole Cluster Punchdown
50% conventional crush / destem
Ausmannshausen yeast inoculum
Elevage details:
Malolactic fermentation in barrel
Neutral French oak aged 96 months
TA: 5.7 g/L
pH: 3.73 at bottling
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 297 cases
2010 Roman Reserve Cabernet Franc, Lake County
78% Cabernet Franc Clone 1
Estate vineyard, Clear Lake AVA
Harvested 16 October
24.2 Brix
22% Merlot Clone 181
Estate vineyard, Clear Lake AVA
Harvested 31 October
23.5 Brix
Fermentation techniques:
Anchor NT112 yeast
7 g/L untoasted Alliers chips
7-day maceration
Elevage details:
Three weeks microbüllage pre ML
60 months in neutral French oak
Alcohol sweet spot at 13.7%
pH 3.76 at bottling
Production: 125 cases
Vendor Details
WineSmith Cellars
Founded:
1993
Owner:
Clark Smith
Location:
Sebastopol, CA
Clark Smith is an MIT drop-out who wandered out to California in 1972 and sold wine retail in the Bay Area for several years, where he acquired a love of Bordeaux, Burgundy and all things French and observed first hand the California winery explosion in the 1970s. After a three year stint at Veedercrest Vineyards, he secured enology training at UC Davis and spent the 1980s as founding winemaker for The R.H. Phillips Vineyard in Yolo County. In 1990, he founded WineSmith Consulting and patented a group of new winemaking techniques involving reverse osmosis, spinning off Vinovation, which went on to become the world’s largest wine production consulting firm over its 17-year history.
Frustrated with California’s winemaking trends, Clark started WineSmith Cellars in 1993 as a teaching winery to make Eurocentric wines to explore traditions beyond the mainstream, expanding for his winemaking clients the range of possibility for California fruit. Choosing to create long-term partnerships with committed growers rather than growing his own grapes, Clark has become an renowned expert on Cabernet Franc, having vinified twenty vintages from a wide variety of sites.
Teaching at Napa Valley College gave him access to the Student Vineyard for Faux Chablis and his Pauillac-style $100 “Crucible” Cabernet Sauvignon. From Renaissance Vineyards in North Yuba County he has made a sulfite-free Roman Syrah and also produces a Pinot Noir from Fiddlestix Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills in a delicate, age-worthy Côtes de Beaune style. These wines are vinified in an ancient beat-up warehouse in Sebastopol, California.
WineSmith wines are noted for their longevity, classic balance, structural integrity, minerality and understated soulfulness. They often are aged extensively prior to release. When drinking a WineSmith wine, always ask yourself “What is this wine trying to teach me?” Clark is a vocal advocate of living soil and graceful longevity, and generally avoids excessive oak, alcohol, or extended hang-time. He is not shy about employing new tools when they are needed, such as alcohol adjustment to bring fruit into balance or micro-oxygenation to build refined structure, but always fully discloses techniques which are controversial and is outspoken in explaining his rationale.
His book, Postmodern Winemaking, is the culmination of four decades of reflection on wine’s true nature.
