Dear Wine Friends,
We will soon find out about the Petit Verdot. Jarvis is now introducing it as a stand-alone varietal. It is a curiously stubborn little grape, always the last to harvest. In fact, due to its late harvest, many Europeans don’t even try to grow it anymore.

Petit Verdot in the Jarvis Vineyards

But year after year in our blending process we notice just how much difference a small amount of Petit Verdot will make in a blend. Our Lake William blend just isn’t right without that 2% addition of Petit Verdot. It fortifies the wine’s body in a neatly positive way. Some friends who have tasted our pure Petit Verdot look upon it as a treasure by itself! My view is that the Devil is in the details. It all depends on how this potent grape is handled both in the vineyard and in the barrel. It has to be fully and evenly ripened or you get “off” flavors, and it must mature in well toasted, brand new barrels to soften its image. Then it is a really great taste sensation.     Also, on the subject of new offerings, Jarvis is now bringing out a stand alone Merlot. We have been growing Merlot for 20 years but using it only in our Lake William blend. But some of our Merlot has already proved itself a winner for those who were able to get hold of a bottle. It seems to appeal to people who don’t normally like Merlot but who appreciate very much this varietal when it is optimally handled; that is, in the vineyard and in the barrel!                Very Best Wishes,                      William & Leticia Jarvis

	2006 Merlot Each year we pick each zone separately and only when it is at its maximum potential. As a result the 2006 Merlot harvest stretched all the way from September 22nd to October 27th. Our efforts paid off because the wine got a gold medal! Although, Merlot is a key varietal in the Lake William blend, contributing to its deep amethyst hues and elegant flavors, we bottle a select portion of Merlot on its own as a varietal wine which has become one of our most sought after wines.     Before bottling, the 2006 vintage was aged 18 months in new French Nevers oak, allowing the wine to integrate its red berry flavor characteristics into a wine particularly food friendly. We recommend enjoying this wine now through 2013. 93 pts - GOLD MEDAL - Exceptional, Beverage Testing Institute 375ml - $50, 750ml - $90, 1.5L - $180, 3L - $360, 6L - $720
	2006 Petit Verdot To be Released June 1st Petit Verdot is a finicky little grape packed with a lot of power. As usual it was the last to ripen during the 2006 harvest. Petit Verdot contributes a beautiful deep color and black fruit flavor to our Lake William blend. Also, a small amount of the crop was bottled 100% varietal in 375ml bottles. This provides you a unique tasting experience of a varietal not commonly seen unblended. This Petit Verdot has a rich eggplant color, with flavors of blackberry, plum, allspice and clove. Essence of spicy vanilla, from aging twenty-three months in new French Nevers oak, contributes to a smooth and long finish. We suggest enjoying this wine now through 2011. Available only in half bottles, 375ml - $55
	2004 Cabernet Franc Cabernet Franc often goes unrecognized on its own due to its popular use in blended wines. But Dimitri Tchelistcheff, our Winemaker Consultant, considers our Cabernet Franc to be one of the best wines he produces; which makes it no surprise that this varietal is one of our most sought after and won the Gold Medal this year! The Jarvis 2004 Cabernet Franc has a deep lavender brilliance in the glass which adds to the delight of the drinking experience. Twenty-three months of barrel aging in new French Nevers oak adds a hint of toasty vanilla to the lavender and cassis aromas of this wine. This charming wine can be enjoyed immediately upon release, and because of its concentration of fruit and incredible structure should also age beautifully through 2012. 91 pts - GOLD MEDAL - Exceptional, Beverage Testing Institute 375ml - $50, 750ml - $90, 1.5L - $180, 3L - $360, 6L - $720
	2004 Lake William Lake William is the Cabernet Sauvignon blend which started out as a cellar mistake but is now a most popular blend. It is named after the lake which borders and cools those estate vineyards that make up the blend. Each vintage’s composition varies a little depending on the blending of our Winemaker Consultant, Dimitri Tchelistcheff. The 2004 vintage of Lake William combines 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Twenty-three months of barrel aging in 100% new French Nevers oak adds a note of toasty vanilla to the rich red currant aroma and elegant berry flavors of this wine. It should continue to develop beautifully through 2015. 94 pts - GOLD MEDAL - Exceptional, Beverage Testing Institute 375ml - $63, 750ml - $115, 1.5L - $230, 3L - $460, 6L - $920

Planning Summer gatherings?
We prefer to ship these larger bottles now before the summer since they are especially susceptible to heat. So now is the time to order!  Large bottles are perfect for birthday celebrations and graduation events. Quantities are limited so please order early to avoid disappointment and get the size you want.

		1.5 Liter	3 Liter	6 Liter
		Magnum	Double Magnum	Imperial
2007	Estate Chardonnay	$96
2006	Estate Chardonnay	$76
2007	Finch Hollow Chardonnay	$190
2004	Cabernet Franc	$180	$360	$720
2003	Cabernet Franc	$140	$280	$560
2002	Cabernet Franc	$140	$280	$560
2001	Cabernet Franc	$140	$280	$560
2006	Merlot	$180	$360	$720
2005	Merlot	$140	$280	$560
2004	Merlot	$140	$280	$560
2003	Merlot	$140	$280	$560
2004	Lake William	$230	$460	$920
2003	Lake William	$150	$300	$600
2002	Lake William	$150	$300	--
2001	Lake William	--	$300	$600
2002	Cabernet Sauvignon	--	$340	$680
2001	Cabernet Sauvignon	--	$340	$680
2000	Cabernet Sauvignon	--	$340	--
2001	Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon	$320	--	--