Welcome To Ecluse Wines

(San Francisco, CA, January 2008) – Even with the holidays behind us, the celebration is just beginning for the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Held over a period of four days at the Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds in January, this exclusive event has once again broken world records with 4,235 wines from over 1500 wineries entered into the 2008 competition, all of which were evaluated by an elite panel of more than 60 professional wine judges from across the country.

Founded in 1983 as the modestly sized Cloverdale Citrus Fair Wine Competition, it has evolved into the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition while gaining notoriety and national acclaim for its ability to entice thousands of entries from the major wine-producing regions in the United States.

ÉCLUSE scores a 93 and a 90 and “Four Hearts “Love at first sip”

Affairs of the Vine 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Shootout

The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Shootout began with a series of blind tastings over a six week period November to December 2007 in San Francisco, California. The wines were tasted in groups of 32 wines per session. All wines were tasted blind and were tasted without reference to producer, appellation or price. The wines were delineated by vintage in the first round of tasting but no vintage reference made in proceeding round.

The top wines were then tasted blind to determine the best of the best. The 55 top wines selected by the team of judges were then submitted to the entire panel for review.

The final tasting was held in San Francisco as the professional panel brought their experienced palates and love of Cabernet to this task. Each wine was judged and reviewed on its own merit.

The final 55 wines were rated using a 100 point scale and are recommended “from the heart” with the additional reference of

1 to 4 hearts - 4 hearts the highest = Love at First Sip.

ÉCLUSE WAS AMONG THE TOP 55 FINALISTS!!

Here’s how we scored:

Écluse “Ensemble” 2005 Bordeaux-style Cabernet Blend:

93 and 4 Hearts – “Love at first sip”!

“Black cherry, date, dense dark berries on the nose ; Lush fruit in the mouth. The flavors march through the lively entry through the clean, tapered finish.”

Écluse 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon:

90 and 4 Hearts – “Love at first sip”!

“Rich blackberry fruit with aromas with clove and chocolate accents are delivered onto the palate. Nicely balanced.”

Photo By Menu Club®

Robert M. Parker, Jr.’s

THE WINE ADVOCATE

TASTING NOTES AND RATINGS

Wines 2001 Syrah Lock Vineyard , Paso Robles 87

Wines 2002 Syrah Lock Vineyard , Paso Robles 90

Wines 2003 Syrah Lock Vineyard , Paso Robles 87

Wines 2004 Syrah Lock Vineyard , Paso Robles 90

2003 & 2004 Écluse Wines Syrah Lock Vineyard
Source: Wine Advocate #166

"Revealing a dense ruby/purple hue as well as richness, texture, and nuance, the full-bodied 2004 Syrah Lock Vineyard is a big (15.5% alcohol) wine with an impressive, supple finish. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.

The 2003 Syrah Lock Vineyard exhibits a crisp, elegant, lighter style than its younger sibling. Its deep ruby color is accompanied by copious amounts of berry fruit, pepper, and dried herb characteristics. This attractive, mid-weight Syrah should be consumed over the next 2-3 years"

2001 & 2002 Écluse Wines Syrah Lock Vineyard
Source: Wine Advocate #154

"A new winery for me, this looks to be a noteworthy entry into the increasingly packed crowd of Rhône Ranger producers in the Paso Robles area. Écluse, the French word for the gated locks on water canals, has no other than the talented Matt Trevisan as their consultant.

The 2001 Syrah Lock Vineyard exhibits big, chewy black cherry, pepper, underbrush, and spice box characteristics. It is a husky, full-bodied offering with loads of fruit as well as depth, and no hard edges. Drink this fine value over the next 3-4 years.

Even better, the 2002 Syrah Lock Vineyard is a full-bodied, “packed and stacked,” big, deep Syrah, boasts a rich bouquet of blackberries, smoke, cassis, cherries, and earth. Pure, heady, and lush, it is a hedonistic Syrah to enjoy over the next 4-5 years.

Accolades to proprietors Steve and Pam Lock."

* All comments and ratings are copyright The Wine Advocate Inc.& eparker.com 2001-2006