WINEMAKER'S NOTES

Rich and pure on the nose; this is a gorgeous wine with gravelly character and generous finish

PRESS

We were astonished that last year’s offering of 2004 Gemstone sold out in nine days. We again offer our sincere apologies to our many "Gem-Friends" who were denied wine or had their orders reduced. We will make every effort to allocate the celebrated 2005 Gemstone as equitably and fairly as possible.

"Ripe and juicy, with firm, intense, polished black cherry, wild berry, currant and black licorice flavors that are delightfully elegant and refined. The finish goes on and on. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2010 through 2018." --JL

James Laube 95 Wine Spectator Insider, "Hot New Wines" (Aug 03, 2008)

"Superrich and stylish, with tiers of black cherry, plum and boysenberry, giving this wine an almost syrupy texture. Plush and concentrated, the flavors coat the palate."

James Laube 2005 Napa California Barrel Tasting (Aug 31, 2006)

"An absolutely gorgeous wine is the blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2005 Proprietary Red. Pure, vivid notes of black currants, crushed rocks, acacia flowers, and some subtle barrique smells are followed by a wine with hints of hot stones and a gravelly character. The wine has superb intensity, beautiful purity, and full-bodied power, but uncanny elegance and symmetry. This wine needs 2-3 years of bottle age, and should drink well for 25 years."

Robert Parker 95 The Wine Advocate, Issue 174 (Dec 28, 2008)

"Bright ruby, highly nuanced, expressive nose combines blueberry, hot rocks, spices leather and minerals: this wine smells like it’s from somewhere. Very ripe, sweet and deep, with a pliant texture to the dark berry, licorice and bitter chocolate flavors. This boasts lovely balance and slow-building persistence, and the tannins are quite suave. Promises to be the best release yet from this property."

Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar, Issue 132 (May-June 2007)

"Good full medium ruby. Superripe aromas of black fruits, mocha, flint and hot stones, with a faint herbal nuance; slightly porty. Then fat, full and soft, in a distinctly creamy style, with flavors of dark fruits, melted dark chocolate, maple syrup and cough medicine. This reminded me of a St. Estephe wine from a very ripe year. Finishes rich, chewy and powerful, with slightly dry-edged but supple tannins and notes of mocha and crushed rock."

Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar (May-June 2008)

WINEMAKER'S NOTES

Intense aromas of crème de cassis, fresh stones and violet; the wine is pure and seamless. 

PRESS

Winemaker Philippe Melka and we agree that the 2005 vintage has produced the best Gemstone release to date. The Facets Estate Red Blend and Facets Estate Chardonnay both exhibit the richness, elegance and silky texture that is the hallmark of Gemstone Vineyard wines.

"The 2005 Facets is elegant, austere by the standards of California, and almost a dead-ringer for a Medoc from Bordeaux. The wine is dark ruby/purple-tinged with a floral, restrained nose of sweet cherries and soil and undertones of underbrush and barrique. The wine is medium-bodied, pretty, pure, and represents an attractive, French-styled blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. It should drink nicely for 10-12 years."

Robert Parker 90 The Wine Advocate#174 (Dec 28, 2008)

WINEMAKER'S NOTES

The wine reveals beautiful acidity and vibrancy. The flavors are based on notes of apricot, pears and anise.

PRESS

"A mouth-filling rich, creamy style of Chardonnay with intense varietal character of exotic fruits, citrus and honeysuckle framed with a stony minerality and earth with bright acids. The impressive weight of this wine on the pallet along with its subtle complex layers make this a serious Chardonnay. Because no malo-latic was induced, it should drink well for several years."

Robert Parker 90 The Wine Advocate #174 (Dec 28, 2008)

WINEMAKER'S NOTES

Extremely elegant nose of flint, black fruit and minerality; the wine is opulent, dense finishing with powerful tannins.
 

PRESS

Robert Parker          90             Drink: 2008 – 2023
Wine Advocate # 180    Dec 2008                
The 2006 Facets is a blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with small dosages of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The wine exhibits plenty of bay leaf, cranberry, black cherry, underbrush, and forest floor characteristics in its elegant, medium-bodied personality. This complex, pure red could easily pass for a fine Bordeaux. Enjoy it over the next 10-15 years.

Proprietors Suzie and Paul Frank sold this vineyard to Carol and Michael Marks, but I do not expect many changes as Philippe Melka remains in charge of the winemaking. Gemstone’s 17-acre vineyard is the fruit source for these two cuvees, the Facets and the flagship wine, Gemstone Proprietary Red.

Wine Advocate # 174     Dec 2007                               
Much more dramatic, richer, and more opulent than the 2005, but not losing any of its underlying elegance is the dark ruby/purple-tinged 2006 Facets. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, elegant black cherry and licorice notes are followed by a wine with some subtle oak, medium to full body, supple tannin, and plenty of plumpness and flesh. This should drink nicely for 10-15 years.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES

"We had a perfect growing season at Gemstone Vineyard, harvested mid September. The most refined Chardonnay from Gemstone Vineyard; the nose reveals bursting aromas of butterscotch, peach, apricot and white flowers layered with wet stones and anis notes in the mouth. This is a great expression of Gemstone terroir. Aging occurred in both puncheon and regular size barrels for sixteen months."
                                                     -Philippe Melka Winemaker.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES

Spicy and suave on the nose, the wine reveals opulence and layers of flavors of white chocolate, anise, licorice and black fruits.

PRESS

Robert Parker          93                Drink: 2008 - 2028
Wine Advocate # 180    Dec 2008
The superb 2006 Gemstone Proprietary Red  (an 890-case blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot) is from the cooler Oakville / Yountville sector of Napa. It exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as a beautiful bouquet of subtle new oak interwoven with black currants, smoke, licorice, and a hint of spring flowers. The wine is full-bodied, with excellent density, admirable balance, and fine purity, a hallmark of this estate. It should drink nicely for two decades.

Proprietors Suzie and Paul Frank sold this vineyard to Carol and Michael Marks, but I do not expect many changes as Philippe Melka remains in charge of the winemaking. Gemstone’s 17-acre vineyard is the fruit source for these two cuvees, the Facets and the flagship wine, Gemstone Proprietary Red.

Wine Advocate # 174     Dec 2007
The 2006 Gemstone Proprietary Red is a similar blend, beautifully opulent, more fruit-forward than the 2005, with seemingly less structure, yet oodles of cassis and smoky, flowery notes interwoven with some new oak and white chocolate. The wine is spicy, full-bodied, opulent, and gorgeous, and it will no doubt age well for 15+ years.

James Laube            92-94
The Wine Spectator Web Only-2007         Barrel Tasting
Aromas of herb, currant, tar, mineral and sage give this a rich, savory character.  Dense and concentrated, this is well-focused and persistent, ending with a long, complex aftertaste.