The Wine Section - Cellar Craft Wine Kits


Cellar Craft 2011 Limited Release Collection is available for order Cellar Craft award winning wine kits are once again available for a short time. Note: Due to the weight of these kits each will be shipped as a single item.
Limited Release: All the kits listed as Limited Release are for sale for only a short time. Customers may not order these kits after the sell date. Due to the special order status of these wine kits you will be charged at time of ordering for the kit, shipping and handling.
All Cellar Craft Limited Release wine kits are $145.00
January 2011 Limited Release GRENACHE QUARTET France, Spain, Australia, California : 2.6 Litre Crushed Grape "SUPER PACK" (Made using over 17 lbs of whole grapes) A world first! In what we believe is a World First, Grenache from 3 continents and 4 countries have been brought together to co-ferment on 2.6 Litres of Grenache crushed grapes from 3 countries. The result: a wine of truly distinctive style showing the most attractive attributes of the Grenache grape from the 4 quite different grape growing areas and a level of complexity that simply is not experienced in any one region. California liquid components and crushed grapes establish the structure to which the European and Australian components add additional dimension. The Spanish Grenache (Garnacha) juice and crushed grapes contribute exuberant aromas and top-note flavors Australian juice adds heft and weight to the body of the wine along with the country's trademark fruitiness. Grenache juice and crushed grapes from the Rhone Valley bring elegance, finesse and harmony to the entire blend. The Grenache content in the blend is roughly in equal measure from each of the 4 countries. The blend is fermented on equal portions of California, Spanish and French crushed Grenache grapes. European toasted oak is added before fermentation and, after fermentation, the wine ages in contact with Hungarian oak cubes. The finished wine is bursting with aromas and flavors suggestive of fully ripe cherries, raspberries and plums. The 2 stage oaking process beautifully counterbalances and holds all the fruit in check with its contribution of vanilla and toast. You will be enjoying this wine a couple of weeks after bottling but do set some aside for 1 to 2 years to experience the refinement that comes with aging. The wine pairs well with most beef, lamb and pork dishes and roasted chicken or turkey. item #4799-0111 No longer available		February 2011 Limited Release CHATEAU DU PAYS Reserve Cuvée 2.6 Litre Crushed Grape "SUPER PACK" (Made using over 17 lbs of whole grapes) After working with the red grapes that we sourced from the Rhone Valley and seeing how terrific they were it was immediately clear that we had the foundation for a very special Reserve Cuvée version of Chateau du Pays that could closely replicate the great reds from the most famous appellation in the Southern Rhone. This is that special wine. Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre juices from Gard, France, in roughly equal proportions, are the stars of this blend. Calif. Syrah and Spanish Garnacha have supporting roles. The base blend is fermented on a Super-Pack of virgin crushed grapes made with very special Red Mountain Syrah (clone sourced from Chateauneuf du Pape) plus Australian Grenache and Spanish Garnacha. 2-stage Hungarian oak treatment is the final element in this unique blend. Syrah and Grenache create the main structure of this wine providing vibrant notes of red and black fruit plus an enticing spice note. The smaller quantity of Mourvedre adds the hallmark notes referred to as game or meatiness, savoury or Sauvage as the French call it. With aging, this becomes more refined and suggestive of leather, forest floor or even truffles. It also contributes additional spice tones. An intriguing element for sure. The wine should be held for a minimum of 6 months but can be cellared for at least 2 years. This is a big, complex wine that is a natural for big, rich dishes. Beef, lamb and game roasts or stews. Bean and root vegetable casseroles or Cassoulet. Works well whenever mushrooms are used. item #4799-0211
March 2011 Limited Release RHONE STYLE MARSANNE-VIOGNIER-ROUSSANNE Washington & California vineyards 18 Liter Format Our first release of a Rhone-style white was our Yakima Synergy II, released in March '09. This new blend of Marsanne, Viognier and Roussanne is presented in an 18 litre format. This allowed us to increase total juice content by 12% imparting even more natural character to the finished wine. The 3 juices used all come from our Washington vineyards and they have been supplemented with Marsanne from California. The varietal mix for this release will be fine-tuned compared to our earlier release. In blend option1, total Marsanne content is increased slightly but reduces as a percent total of varietal content to 64%; there will be a minor reduction in Viognier, accounting for 20% of the named varietals while we double the amount of Roussanne taking it to 16% of the varietal content. Another blend under study utilizes more Viognier and less Marsanne and also shows great promise. Trials using specialized yeast show a greatly enhanced aromatic profile. At this point, further trials are ongoing to ensure that this yeast can be utilized in all field situations without complications. Whatever the final decisions on yeast and varietal mix are, the product released will give a more pronounced character from the get-go and even more longer-term aging potential. This wine will benefit from at least 6 to12 months in the bottle. Co-fermentation of the feature varietals creates a wine that shows pear, melon, white peach, subtle tropical notes, a hint of citrus, delicate spice and an over-riding floral impression. All of this is wrapped within a lush, almost creamy texture with just enough acidity to vividly define the lengthy finish. The wine finishes completely dry. If you enjoyed Synergy II, see what a difference more juice and a bit of tweaking makes. If you missed the earlier version, please do consider adding this 18 litre version to your must-try list for 2011. It is a great sipper to savour on its own while also being incredibly complimentary to a wide variety of foods. item #4799-0311		April 2011 Limited Release CARMENERE ~ CABERNET Colchagua Valley, Chile 2.5 Litre Crushed Grape "SUPER PACK" (Made using over 17 lbs of whole grapes) Our award winning Carmenere juice from the esteemed Colchagua Valley is for the first time being married with Virgin, Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon crushed grapes packaged in a 2.6 liter "Super-Pack". Carmenere fermented on the 25% larger Super-Pack Cabernet Grapes and our 2-stage Hungarian oaking process create the biggest, boldest Chilean that we have ever released. The wine shows the typical Carmenere profile of blackberry, black cherry, tropical fruit and spice inter-laced with black currant and more red fruits from the Cabernet. Ageing develops further notes of coffee, mocha and leather. The super-pack crushed Cab skins add more color, body, aromatics, flavors and bolder tannins that are typical of great Cabernet. You will want to age your wine at least 6 months and it can be held for at least 3 years. This wine can proudly be served with your best cuts of beef or lamb but will also compliment roasted fowl and tomato-sauced dishes. item #4799-0411