aikenwines-blog

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Harvest in Wine Country

https://aikenwines.wordpress.com/2018/08/29/harvest-in-wine-country/

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Feast Studio Now Open: Come for Wine Tastings!

Feast it Forward, a lifestyle brand centered around food, wine, and music, has finally opened its doors to the public. It’s long-awaited opening is accompanied with the new app, My Wine Society. Together, visitors can experience the world of wine and stay connected with the global wine community via the app.

The downtown Napa tasting room, Feast Studio, holds cooking classes, musical performances, and wine tasting by local vintners. Aiken Wines is a featured vintner that will now host wine tastings. Guests can contact Joel Aiken and receive winemaker tastings of his famed Pinot Noirs, top-rated Cabernet Sauvignons such as his Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Studio has a total of 18 Vintners, high-end appliance demonstration studio kitchen, a design showroom, an entertainment and educational garden, a Gibson Guitar entertainment lounge, 1000 sq ft wrap around deck overlooking Napa, epicurean classes, private event hosting, and more. Expect world-class chefs to host cooking classes and live viewings online. Don’t miss out and keep up with the event calendar.

The Feast it Forward brand donates 5% of its proceeds to worthy charities aiding women, children, animals, and health and international causes. The Studio will also be donating 5% to these causes.

Don’t Miss Out

Download the app here and make sure to contact Aiken Wines for a wine tasting with the winemaker. Taste top-rated Cabernet Sauvignons at the downtown Napa tasting room and purchase your favorite wines. See you at the Studio!

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Meet the Winemaker

Respect does not come quickly in the global wine industry. Only after decades of learning, guidance, commitment, and award-winning production do winemakers achieve real recognition from their peers. Producing the best pinot noir, top-rated cabernet sauvignon, and chardonnays for top-notch wineries has placed Joel Aiken among the top Napa Valley winemakers.

A native of California, Joel Aiken earned a Master’s Degree in Enology from UC Davis and worked as Assistant Winemaker at the famous Beaulieu Vineyard in 1982. At age 29, Joel became BV’s youngest winemaker. For the subsequent 30+ years, Joel climbed the winemaking ladder with the global beverage giant, Diageo, as Director and then Vice President of Winemaking.

Aiken also had the opportunity to work with the famous winemaker André Tchelistcheff.

During his tenure at Diageo, Mr. Aiken oversaw winemaking of the best Pinot Noir and other varietals at several wineries in Napa and Sonoma Valleys. During that time, Aikens oversaw the replacement of Beaulieu’s historic vines with new to create the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay products in Carneros and Cabernet Sauvignon at their Rutherford vineyards. His innovative techniques improved the production of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnays.

Recognition Among Peers

Respect in the wine industry does not come only from producing the best Pinot Noir or top-rated Cabernet Sauvignon in the industry but from personal contributions to the wine community itself. During his career, Joel has served as a Director on the Governing Board of Napa Valley Vintners, serving one year as President of the organization. In addition, Mr. Aikens served as President of the Rutherford Dust Society and Carneros Wine Alliance.

Award Winning Aiken Wines

Today, with Aiken Wines and Aiken’s Wine Consulting, LLC, Mr. Aiken is spreading his vast knowledge and experience by elevating the Art of Winemaking in Napa and Sonoma Valleys. His company, Aiken Wines, produces the best Pinot Noir and other varietals using state of the art techniques like computer pumpovers, temperature control, and unique barrel fermenting processes.  

To produce the best Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignons, Aiken Wines selects grapes only from the best situated and meticulously tended vineyards.

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A Look into Napa Valley’s Geology: Wine Country’s Terroirs

There’s a reason you’ll find some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir in Napa Valley. The area is filled with a vast array of soils that allow for diverse wines of a delicious caliber. It’s why people from all over the world come to try famed Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and the best Pinot Noir around.

Napa’s Geological History

Created by geological events over the span of 150 million years, volcanic and marine soils share this region. Tectonic plate movement and volcanic activity formed the Napa Valley and with the erosion and mixing of this parent material came vastly diverse and complex soil compositions in the alluvial fans that develop from the hillsides and cover the valley floor. At one point in history, the San Pablo Bay reached present-day Yountville, further stirring the geological variation of the land.

Napa Valley’s soil diversity represents half the world’s soil orders, 33 soil series, and more than 100 soil variations. The character of the grapes are highly affected by the soil’s composition. The Valley floor soils are usually deeper and more fertile and produces robust growth. The crop must therefore be strictly managed to form concentrated grapes. The hillsides offer rock soils which force vines to struggle to survive resulting in smaller crop and highly concentrated color and flavors.

The Vineyards of Aiken Wines

Aiken Wines uses grapes from premium vineyards to produce some of the finest Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and the best Pinot Noir. From the Morisoli Vineyard Rutherford, Aiken Wines produces Rutherford Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The dusty, gravel-laden soils create a distinct taste.

The Oakville Ranch Vineyard offers Aiken Wines with grapes from the hills high above the valley floor where the daytime is longer and the nighttime includes cooler temperatures. The grapes here have a darker color and a refreshing acidity. The thin red volcanic soil causes limited growth with small clusters and berries – the result is powerful and elegant wines.

Learn about all of the vineyards used by Aiken Wines and explore their unique characteristics that produce the amazing Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and the best Pinot Noir we know and love.

The unique and special circumstances of Napa Valley’s geology have paved a road for excellence in wine. The region therefore creates famous Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and the best Pinot Noir around. Aiken Wines is committed to providing customers with phenomenal selections from the finest grapes. Joel Aiken is inspired by these spectacular vineyards to create wines that are truly elevated.

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2017 Napa Valley Pinot Noir Rose by Aiken Wines

With over 30 years of winemaking experience, Joel Aiken knows the vineyards and growers capable of producing exceptional grapes for his wines. This includes his new Pinot Noir Rose, one of the best Pinot Noir produced by Aiken Wines to date. Aiken Wines is also known for producing excellent Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Grape

The grapes for this premier Pinot Noir Rose come from vines located in the cool region south of the city of Napa and just east of Carneros. The source fruit is a combination of two distinct Pinot Noir varietal clones. The blended Pommard and Roederer clones produce a light salmon colored rose and a wine so refreshing as to join the ranks of the best Pinot Noir on the market.

To produce this exquisite wine, the grapes were gently handled, beginning with hand harvesting done at night. Cluster and berry sorting occurred in the winery before destemming, then after a few hours of skin contact, the skins were separated from the lightly colored juice. Stainless steel receptacles were used for fermentation to preserve the bright, fresh fruit character.

The Wine

The 2017 vintage of Aiken Wines Pinot Noir Rose is one of the best Pinot Noir on record. Bottled in February 2018, this 100% Pinot Noir will pair well with lighter summertime fare. The mouthwatering ripe apple and pear aroma is coupled with a crisp citrus character that lingers on your palate.

The Winemaker: Aiken Wines

After spending decades as a prominent Napa Valley wine maker, Joel Aiken’s drive for continued improvement prompted him to establish Aiken Wines in 2009. Now recognized as a producer of top rated Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Aiken also produces some of the best Pinot Noir with grapes selected from leading Napa Valley and Sonoma County vineyards. He strives for perfection in all his site-specific wines, which are produced in micro-lots with limited distribution.

Bottled: February 27, 2018 – 54 cases produced

Alcohol Content: 13.2%

Explore all the wonderful wine selections at Aiken Wines, including some of the best Pinot Noir to come out of Napa and fantastic collection of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon!

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Aiken Wines: Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Ratings

Napa is blessed with diverse soils, an ideal climate and topography that produce a variety of consistent wines from a wide range of grapes. From silky, seductive Pinot Noirs to ripe, velvety Merlots, there is a Napa Valley wine perfect for everyone.

In this post, we’re excited to share our recent wine ratings from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and independent wine reviewer Jeb Dunnuck on our 2013 and 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville and Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford.

Best Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Aiken Wines is thrilled to be recognized as a producer of two top-rated Cabernet Sauvignons – we could brag all day! But we’ll let the experts speak for themselves.

2014 Aiken Wines Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

The Wine Advocate – 92+ Points

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville has a beautifully spicy, expressive nose of blueberry pie, crème de cassis and preserved plums with a dusty earth and sandalwood undercurrent. Rich, full-bodied, softly textured and beautifully expressive in the mouth, it has great length and plenty of layers. Drink 2017-2033.

Jeb Dunnuck – 96 Points

True blockbuster stuff is the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville, which comes from the Oakville Ranch on the east side of the Valley. Aged 20 months in 75% new French oak with a deep purple color and sumptuous notes of violets, crème de cassis, white chocolate, and hints of graphite, this full-bodied, opulent, seamless Cabernet Sauvignon is capable of lasting 20+ years.

2014 Aiken Wines Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

The Wine Advocate – 93 Points

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford opens with a smoky, earthy, toasty nose over a core of cassis, chocolate-covered cherries, baked blackberries and a waft of walnut oil. Medium to full-bodied with a fine-grained frame and wonderful freshness, it has plenty of earth and herbal flavors accenting the black fruits, finishing long and spicy. Drink 2017-2033.

Jeb Dunnuck – 95 Points

Cut from the same cloth as the 2013, only slightly more sexy and open-knit, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford is loaded with blueberry and cassis-like fruits as well as lots of white chocolate, flowers, and spicy nuances. With full-bodied richness, no hard edges, and an incredible seamlessness on the palate, drink this sexpot of a wine over the coming 15 years.

2013 Aiken Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

Jeb Dunnuck – 94+ Points

Blackcurrants, roasted herbs, toasted spice and cedar pencil notes all give way to a full-bodied, concentrated, hedonistic 2013 that has enough concentration and depth to keep for two decades. As with the Rutherford release, there’s a tiny amount of this available (85 cases).

2013 Aiken Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

Jeb Dunnuck – 95 Points

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford from Joel Aiken is a beauty that shows the incredible quality of this great, great vintage. Boasting a deep purple color and terrific notes of blackcurrants, smoke tobacco, graphite, and background oak, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, fabulous purity, and a dense, concentrated, age-worthy feel. There are a tiny 105 cases made but it will have two decades or more of longevity.

On a Scale of 1 to 100

Robert Parker created the 100-point rating scale which is used to provide beneficial information for wine enthusiasts. Ratings offer an account of how vintages compare to prior years’ releases, tasting profiles, and a look at what goes into making each vintage.

Of course, while we’re thrilled to be so highly rated by two widely-respected professionals, we know the real judge of a great vintage is your own palate and preference. We hope you’ll savor drinking each of these top-rated Cabernet Sauvignons as much we enjoyed making them.