Big White House Winery

La Petite Cygnette

2005 Zinfandel, Russian River

In an unforgiving landscape of Zinfandels with super-ripe fruit, mono-dimensional pepper, and overwhelming heat, La Petite Cygnette (seen-YET) feels like a cool breeze in a shady grove. Despite her petite physique, this Swan is quietly discovering her own contemporary magnetism amidst the gang of glitzy groupies. Her appeal is classic: refined beauty in a small package discovered above the noisy milieu of oversized Zinfandels. The first thing we notice about La Petite Cygnette is her alluring floral perfume. Rose and peach blossom make a dazzling showing, followed by blackberries, dark cherries, and pumpkin pie spice. La Petite Cygnette’s regal bearing belies a spritely mouth of pleasant blackberry, vanilla and chocolate. The finish reveals an underlying balance, the key to La Petite Cygnette’s rein as the belle of the ball. Drink now or allow a brief cellaring.

The Petran

2004 Petite Sirah, Clarksburg

John Evan's The Petran is a sophisticated and complex Petite Sirah named for the ancient Jordanian rock city of Petra. The capital of the Nabaeans, Petra was carved directly into a massive rock cliff and was approachable only through the mysterious, cave-like enterance, the Siq. When rediscovered by Westerners in the 1850's, Petra was believed to be merely a tomb. Eventually Petra was found to be the center of a sophisticated and complex trading empire with elaborate water systems that allowed the Petrans to grow vineyards in their desert capital. Like Petra, Petite Sirah was long-looked-upon as a simple artifact, a humble wine, a mere blending wine. Like re-discovering Petra's true history, John Evan's Petite Sirah, The Petran, is far richer and more complex than one might expect. One sip of The Petran reveals a rich Petite featuring rose, clove, blackberry, and of course cherry. The mouth reveals more blackberry and cherry with a lush mid-palate followed by sustained finish. Enjoy The Petran now or cellar up to ten years.

Les Amoureux

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore Valley

John Evan's Les Amoureux, (lays-am-or-ROO) "The Lovers," tells the story of a romantic love affair between two Livermore Cabernets of intensely different character. From opposite ends of the valley these two Cabs were vinified separately and aged for two years before John Evan brought them together. One sip and you can taste the romance that has blossomed. The wine from the west side of the valley had a distinctly feminine character: raspberry, rose and violet in the nose; berry with hints of apple in the mouth, and softer tannins. The wine from the east side of Livermore had much more masculine personality: spice, leather and cedar in the nose; blackberry and cherry in the mouth and deeper, darker tannins. By marrying these two wines, John Evan has created a Cab with excellent balance featuring the best of both wines. You can now appreciate this spectacular romance by sharing a glass of Les Amoureux with a loved one. Les Amoureux is ready to drink now but also could benefit from moderate cellaring.

The Paceri

2005 Syrah, Dry Creek

The Paceri (Patch-AIR-ee) is the ageless peacemaker - the ultimate authority in settling disputes within the Corsican Mafia. He has a reputation for staying above the fray, instead enjoying the finer things his station affords him. When required, however, he'll deliver his severe, unimpeachable judgment. When the Paceri emerges to deliver his verdict, the ruling is always enacted to the letter. John Evan's The Paceri, like it's Mafioso eponym, is a commanding wine which never-the-less exudes subtlety and sophistication. The rich scents of woodfire and pipe tobacco smoke take you into the den of the ageless peacemaker. The dark cherry, blackberry and cedar; the cinnamon and clove lead you into contemplation. Then the brooding dark fruit and massive rich tannins in the mouth awaken the tension that is the subtle influence which the Paceri wields. The long finish echoes the Paceri’s deliberative nature. Finally, the excellent balance recalls the fairness of the Paceri's rulings. Try The Paceri with grilled duck or wild boar, or something simpler like filet mignon. Like the Paceri himself, this wine will age gracefully for many years.

The Pastiche

NV Cabernet Sauvignon

The Pastiche is a mélange of eight different cabs from three different years. With its release coming in late 2008, components of this wine have spent as little as a long three years aging in oak barrels while some spent a mind-boggling five years. This long but careful aging and meticulous blending give The Pastiche marvelous mouth-feel and astounding aroma. In the nose you'll get an amalgamation of pipe tobacco, ripe plum, leather, cherry, allspice, and hint of clove. Like any good medley all the components are blended together to give an extremely complex yet outstandingly balanced flavor and mouth-feel. Like one would expect, The Pastiche has phenomenal mid-palate balance. The dry yet juicy texture make The Pastiche a delicious and versatile wine that will go with nearly any meal.

The Alchemist

2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore Valley

When creating a Cab like The Alchemist, I want to make a fruit-forward Cab with good tannin structure. To me, Cabs are often undrinkable, as I detest the bell pepper flavor found in so many otherwise delicious wines. But I have eliminated it from this cab! Alchemists of old strove to turn lead into gold using mineral acids, blisteringly hot temperatures, and occult rituals. I used somewhat different tools than the alchemists such as careful fruit selection, selected yeast, barrels with higher toast levels, and frequent racking. The old alchemists never succeeded in turning lead into gold but I have turned what could be little better than lead into a wine more valuable, and definitely more drinkable, than gold.