2006 Eldorado Gold - Sonoma County - 375ml Bottle [ $42 ]

The first vintage since 2002, our much-anticipated 2006 Ferrari-Carano Eldorado Gold from Sonoma County is a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Eldorado Gold may only be made when a beneficial mold, botrytris cinerea, infects the grapes on the vine, evaporating water content and concentrating sugars, acids and flavors. Intense aromas of dried apricot, nutmeg and maple are complemented by honey, pear and vanilla bean, finishing with long, delicious flavors of dried fruit and honey.

Vintage Notes

A mild late spring and summer ensured a healthy canopy, giving way to near perfect conditions for a September harvest of the Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Late rains in October enhanced the botrytris cineria infection of the Semillon grapes in the vineyard, and harvest was completed in early December.

Winemakers Notes

The grapes for the Eldorado Gold come from our vineyards in Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys. While some of the Semillon grapes for this wine were naturally infected with botrytris cinerea in the vineyard, the remaining hand-harvested Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes were gently placed on trays and inoculated with a pure strain of botrytris cinerea, then dehydrated for 15 days before pressing. The pressed juice was cold settled for two days before inoculation with yeast. After fermenting for 19 to 61 days to reach the desired alcohol and residual sugar levels, the wine was chilled and filtered to stop fermentation, then barrel aged for 14 months before bottling.

Appellation:	Sonoma County
Blend:	76% Semillon, 24% Sauvignon Blanc
Cooperage:	100% stainless steel fermentation
Release Day:	June 2008

Rhonda's Recipe and Pairing Notes Applesauce Walnut Cake with Caramel Glaze The 2006 Eldorado Gold is exceptional paired with light fruit desserts such as apricot or apple tart, lemon desserts, and hazelnut or almond cookies. Dense buttery pound cake, summer berries, crème brulee, caramel sauce and aged cheeses also pair nicely.