VOLUME 12, ISSUE 34
December 30, 2022
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE:
A Commonplace Bucket of Pinot Noir: Quotes, Ephemera, and Thoughts The Prince Retires (this time for good)

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Vineyard: Graham Family

OwnerHoward Graham
AppellationRussian River Valley
StoryOwner Howard Graham is a retired financial executive who teamed with Gary Franscioni and winemaker Ed Kurtzman to launch the August West Label and plant the Graham Family Vineyard.
Dates Planted2001
Acres9
VarietiesPinot Noir
Clones667, 777, 828, Swan

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2016 Jigar Graham Family Vineyard Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 319 cases, $55. Multiple clones including 23 and 777. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Appealing aromas of fresh Bing cherry and ripe strawberry. Dark red fruits are featured in this mid weight styled wine that shows good oak restraint and dog’s paw tannins. The finish is shallow but offers a bright cut of acidity that is the most appealing feature of the wine. Score: 89. Reviewed July 20, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Jigar Graham Family Vineyard Vintner’s Reserve Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 195 cases, $65. Release November 2018. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Leading off are aromas of black cherry, forest floor, dark bittersweet chocolate and a hint of vanilla. Boldly flavored, with a core of dark Bing cherry fruit that saturates the palate, carrying through a persistent finish. The texture is highly soothing the oak is restrained and the tannins are toned and ripe. Score: 91. Reviewed October 12, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Loring Wine Company Graham Family Vineyard Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., pH 3.75, 125 cases, $50. Released September 2015. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. This wine brings the senses to attention with a hi-tone perfume of black cherry, raspberry, spice and toasty oak. Nearly full bodied, with a charge of Bing cherry flavor that saturates the mouth with sappy goodness. Accents of cola and oak add interest. Impressive balance with suave tannins and flawless integration of acidity, finishing with plenty of cherry goodness. Score: 91. Reviewed December 12, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Camlow Cellars Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.61, TA 0.61, 200 cases, $38. Released October 31, 2015. Harvest Brix 24.6º. Clones 23, “828,” 667 and 115 from Graham Family Vineyard. Aged 18 months in 100% French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. A hint of reduction upon opening resolves quickly, revealing aromas of black cherry, boysenberry dried herbs and spice with a waft of toasty oak. Light to mid weight flavors of black cherry and raspberry with a hint of red hots in an elegantly styled wine with balanced dry tannins and juicy acidity. Score: 89. Reviewed January 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Loring Wine Company Graham Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.70, 200 cases, $50, screwcap. Released September 2014. · Light cherry red color in the glass. Soaring scents of red cherry and spice that keep giving over time in the glass. The attack of spice and cola enhanced red cherry fruit really draws your attention, and maintains a pleasing intensity through the finish of uncommon generosity. Quite charming and elegant with impressive balance. Score: 92. Reviewed March 16, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Loring Wine Company Graham Family Vineyard Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., $50, screwcap. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Shy but pleasing aromas of black cherries, black raspberries and oak bark. Vigorous with black cherry and cola flavor, even saucy and lush, with balanced tannins, a very smooth mouth feel, and a powerful display of Maraschino cherry on the flashy finish. Score: 90. Reviewed December 18, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 August West Graham Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.79, TA 0.60, 167 cases, $45. Clones 667, 777, 828 and 23. Aged 10 months in 71% new and 29% 1-year-old French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of Bing cherries and smoky oak. Mid weight flavors of cherries, raspberries and baking spices. Nicely balanced and easy to like, finishing with a kick of fresh cherries. Very good. Reviewed March 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 August West Graham Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., 162 cases, $45. Yields 1-1.5 tons per acre. Picked October 1, the latest ever for this vineyard in this cool growing season. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Very fragrant with aromas of fresh cherries, red berries, spice and toasty oak. Engaging flavors of black cherries, cola and dark chocolate in a middleweight style. Very smooth on the palate, finishing with respectable fruit intensity on the finish. The very ripe flavor profile reflects a warmer Russian River Valley site. Very good. Reviewed April 4, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Loring Wine Company Graham Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., $48, screw cap. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of Bing cherry, cola, cigar box, and a touch of oak. Fully ripe flavors of dark red cherries and black raspberries on a middleweight frame with a subtle oak char underpinning, offering impressive mid palate richness and some length on the finish. Still young and linear at this stage. Tasted twice. Good. Reviewed April 4, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 August West Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., $28. August West is a partnership between Gary Franscioni, Howard Graham and winemaker Ed Kurtzman. · Aromas of cherry tart, baking spices and a hint of oak. Moderately intense and concentrated with flavors of cherry pie filling, berry compote, cola and oak. Very smooth on the palate with soft tannins. Solid but not exciting. Good. Reviewed April 11, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Loring Wine Company Graham Family Vineyard Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

15.2% alc., $40, screw cap. · Penetrating and haunting aromas of red plums, red berries, violets and graham cracker. Really impressive and tasty sweet red berry attack that progresses to a memorable finish. This hedonistic, Caliesque sucker hangs around for at least half a minute. The fruit is startling good and the very smooth mouth feel brings the hair on your neck to attention. The alcohol is well integrated and the wine was still delicious the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle indicating the balance is spot on. This is a great sipping wine that aims to please. Reviewed February 15, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Loring Wine Company Graham Family Vineyard Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 250 cases, $46. · Vivid aromas of fresh Bing cherries, a hint of raisin and a slight touch of oak. Plenty of sweet and loamy black cherry fruit accented with flavors of cola and spice. Bright acidity provides a clean finish that sports mild dry tannins. Reviewed January 1, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 August West Graham Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., 695 cases, $48. · Moderately light crimson in color. Also shy nose showing demure red fruits, a little funk, herbs and a whiff of alcohol. Plush red fruits with spice and brown sugar on the palate. Easy to drink. Reviewed May 26, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 August West Graham Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

118 cases · This is a flamboyant sucker with opulent fruit that jumps out of the glass and floods the mouth. It is fat on the palate and enhanced with deft wood and brown spice. Despite its prodigious fruit, there is ample acidity to balance everything out. Reviewed November 26, 2006 WINERY » ARTICLE »

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