Jackson Wine Estates MATANZAS CREEK Merlot Sonoma County California

Over 25 years ago Matanzas Creek Winery established a lasting tradition – a commitment to crafting exceptional wines sourced from the finest Sonoma County vineyards. This commitment, coupled with the beauty of the Estate's home in Sonoma County's Bennett Valley, has produced a Northern California treasure. Founded in 1977, Matanzas Creek Winery is located on the site of a retired dairy farm in Sonoma County's newest American Viticultural Appellation , Bennett Valley. The Estate takes its moniker from the natural creek running through the area, which was named by Spanish settlers for the Pomo Indian deer hunts once common in the area. This wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc with a hint of both Semillon and Sauvignon Musque, it is bright in both colour and flavour, yet remarkably complex for a Sauvignon Blanc. This unique complexity is the result of precise selection and blending of fruit from five prestigious wine growing regions (12 x 75 cl)

Over 25 years ago Matanzas Creek Winery established a lasting tradition – a commitment to crafting exceptional wines sourced from the finest Sonoma County vineyards. This commitment, coupled with the beauty of the Estate's home in Sonoma County's Bennett Valley, has produced a Northern California treasure. Founded in 1977, Matanzas Creek Winery is located on the site of a retired dairy farm in Sonoma County's newest American Viticultural Appellation , Bennett Valley. The Estate takes its moniker from the natural creek running through the area, which was named by Spanish settlers for the Pomo Indian deer hunts once common in the area. This wine has a vibrant blonde colour and a nose presenting citrus and floral character. Hints of fresh tangerine and lemon are subtlety enhanced by French oak influence. The careful selection and gentle handling of the Chardonnay fruit results in a finished wine boasting intense fruit flavour and balanced acids. (12 x 75 cl)

Part of Jackson Wine Estate Anakota wines are a reflection of their terrior. Located in Sonoma County's Knights Valley, just south of Helena Montana Vineyard, Helena Dakota Vineyard is devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon. Helena Dakota stands 750 feet high in Knights Valley between Mount St. Helena 's two grandest peaks. This 12.4 acre mountain vineyard possesses nearly white, soft volcanic ash soils and slopes up to 15 degrees. The secondary soil possesses a red hue and a more gravelly consistency. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon this wine is aged 14 months in 100% new French oak barrels and Pierre Seillan, Vigneron and Winemaker considered: 'The vibrant, dark ruby color of this wine is followed by a vivacious cherry and violet nose. The fruit-forward flavours begin with red berry enhanced by a slight hint of wood. Helena Dakota's powerful fruit flavour continues to unfold, with black fruit and a note of cedar. The impressive structure of this wine, coupled with soft tannins, lends to a long, refined finish.' (6 x 75 cl)

Part of Jackson Wine Estates, La Crema winery was founded in 1979 and quickly established itself as a pioneer for intensely flavoured Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the cool Sonoma Coast. As a specialist in Burgundian varietals, La Crema handcrafts ultra-premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as well as a limited amount of varietal-specific wines. Once in the winery this 100% Chardonnay is aged mainly in French Oak, of which 31% are new barrels. As a result Melissa Stackhouse, La Crema Winemaker considered: 'Citrus aromas, lemon peel and green apple are balanced with clove and subtle vanilla in the background. Flavours of green apple, lemon and lime, with an unctuous middle, with spice and caramel that add richness and texture to the lingering finish.' (6 x 75 cl)

La Crema was founded in 1979 and quickly established itself as a pioneer for intensely flavoured Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the cool Sonoma Coast. Continuing this tradition, La Crema pursues the ultimate expression of the Russian River Valley, Carneros and Anderson Valley by handcrafting wines of distinctive flavour which achieve elegance and balance The Sonoma Coast is located on the western coastal fringe of Sonoma County, starting with a narrow strip at the Mendocino County border and continuing through the mouth of the Russian River; then down to the Sonoma Carneros border of Napa. This AVA is the largest in Sonoma County yet is the least planted. Known for its dramatic flux in temperature, the warm days and cool nights allow gradual ripening of grapes with fully developed flavours, high natural acidity and low pH. The region’s cold conditions push the limits of grape growing making it particularly well suited for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The hand-picked Chardonnay grapes from cool climate vineyards located six to twenty-five miles from the cold Pacific Ocean are delivered to the winery in small half ton bins to protect the integrity of the fruit. Once in the winery the belt delivery system for whole cluster pressing is used to to capture fresh fruit flavours. A clonal selection union of Dijon, Rued, and Wente add layers of complexity and aromatics and then 90% of the fruit undergoes barrel fermentation and 85% malolactic fermentation to enhance creamy textures. Finally, the barrel aged wine is left for seven months with bi-monthly lees stirring to create richness in the mouth. Melissa Stackhouse Wine Maker commented: 'Citrus aromas, lemon peel and green apple are balanced with clove and subtle vanilla in the background. Flavours of green apple, lemon and lime, with an unctuous middle, with spice and caramel that add richness and texture to the lingering finish..' (12 x 37.5 cl)

La Crema was founded in 1979 and quickly established itself as a pioneer for intensely flavoured Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the cool Sonoma Coast. Continuing this tradition, La Crema pursues the ultimate expression of the Russian River Valley, Carneros and Anderson Valley by handcrafting wines of distinctive flavour which achieve elegance and balance The Sonoma Coast is located on the western coastal fringe of Sonoma County, starting with a narrow strip at the Mendocino County border and continuing through the mouth of the Russian River; then down to the Sonoma Carneros border of Napa. This AVA is the largest in Sonoma County yet is the least planted. Known for its dramatic flux in temperature, the warm days and cool nights allow gradual ripening of grapes with fully developed flavours, high natural acidity and low pH. The region’s cold conditions push the limits of grape growing making it particularly well suited for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Once in the winery this 100% Pinot Noir is aged 8 months mainly in French Oak, of which 28% are new barrels. As a result Melissa Stackhouse, La Crema Winemaker considered: 'Aromas of black cherry, licorice and anise. Cherry and plum flavours with hints of leather and tar, balanced acidity and sturdy tannins round out the mouth.' (6 x 75 cl)

La Crema was founded in 1979 and quickly established itself as a pioneer for intensely flavoured Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the cool Sonoma Coast. Continuing this tradition, La Crema pursues the ultimate expression of the Russian River Valley, Carneros and Anderson Valley by handcrafting wines of distinctive flavour which achieve elegance and balance The Sonoma Coast is located on the western coastal fringe of Sonoma County, starting with a narrow strip at the Mendocino County border and continuing through the mouth of the Russian River; then down to the Sonoma Carneros border of Napa. This AVA is the largest in Sonoma County yet is the least planted. Known for its dramatic flux in temperature, the warm days and cool nights allow gradual ripening of grapes with fully developed flavours, high natural acidity and low pH. The region’s cold conditions push the limits of grape growing making it particularly well suited for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Once in the winery this 100% Pinot Noir is aged 8 months mainly in French Oak, of which 28% are new barrels. As a result Melissa Stackhouse, La Crema Winemaker considered: 'Aromas of black cherry, licorice and anise. Cherry and plum flavours with hints of leather and tar, balanced acidity and sturdy tannins round out the mouth.' Available in 37.5 cl Half Bottles. (12 x 37.5 cl)

The 2005 Heritage Zinfandel has a sense of elegance and grace not often found in Zinfandel. Initial aromas of boysenberry, blueberry, and cedar provide an exciting preview for the flavours that follow. Blackberry, currant, allspice, and bright cherry fru (12 x 75 cl)

TASTING NOTES Very pretty aromas of jasmine and rose petal come quickly back to more expected tropical fruits like pineapple, mango and a bit of pear. Roasted hazelnut is joined with nougat and almond butter, finishing with a touch of lime and lichee. The wine is medium weight, clean with a wonderful acid backbone with a lingering, memorable finish with hints of minerality and a touch of strawberry. (12 x 75 cl)