About the Wine
Roger Harrison for many in the wine industry has been known as
Mr. Botrytis. Since 1983 he has worked at Beringer on the
Nightingale wines made from highly concentrated grapes blessed with
botrytis cinera (noble rot). These are very rare and hard to make
wines. They require special winemaking expertise to maximize the
rare weather conditions that produce these rare and noble wines.
With the right winemaker and special weather conditions highly
concentrated sweet wines such as Château d’Yquem in Sauterne,
France, can be made.
After 25 years perfecting rare dessert wines at Beringer, Roger
launched his own winery, R.A. Harrison Family Cellars, dedicated to
special botrytised wines. The winemaking and grapes selected for
these wines are very similar to those used at Château d’Yquem.
This 2006 Nobility is the winery’s premier wine, made from
single berry selection in vineyard and winery, barrel fermented and
aged in French oak cooperage. Fermentation is very slow and steady,
lasting almost a month. The wine is aged in French oak for 19
months till bottling.
“After several decades of working with botrytis, I have very
distinct ideas about winemaking,” explains Roger. “Balance is
essential. How would I describe this wine? Layers of apricot jam,
sweet fig, vanilla and honey, a balanced acidity with Asian spices,
crème brulée and a rich honeyed finish. I am very proud of this
wine.”
The Vineyards:
Sauvignon Blanc- The Gamble Ranch, Napa Valley (Napa County)
Semillon – Knights Valley, Sonoma County
Harvest Dates:
Sauvignon Blanc: December 1st, 2006
Semillon: December 2nd, 2006
Average Brix at Harvest: 37.3°
Alcohol: 14.4% by volume
Residual Sugar: 12.8g/100ml
Production: 265 - 375ml cases
