MARCH 2018 WINE CLUB NEWSLETTER

MARCH 2018 WINE CLUB NEWSLETTER

SPRING COMES EARLY IN THE NAPA VALLEY In Napa Valley, we are already saying goodbye to winter and preparing for warmer weather and the beginning of the growing season. Bud break took place nearly 4 weeks ahead of normal with temperatures hitting 80 degrees in February and overall very dry conditions. We held off pruning as long as possible to hopefully slow down the vines growth, but the buds have now pushed through. With a long frost season ahead of us, we will be watching very closely to ensure the new buds are protected as they develop. With bud break behind us, there is a lot of work that needs to be done in the vineyards. First, we begin suckering the vines. This is where we limit the number of shoots each vine produces and remove any secondary growth. For cane-pruned blocks, we will be tying the primary canes to their wires and guiding them as they grow. This allows for better fruit distribution and promotes even ripening. Visually there is a very rapid change in appearance in the vineyard as the vines begin to flourish. In a matter of weeks, the black tidy lines of dormant vines along the hillside give way to fuzzy green lines as the vines grow and spread. In the cellar this time of year, I am busy putting the finishing touches on our Cabernet Sauvignon from two years back. We are also deciding the final barrel selection for each blend before they are stored for aging, while other wines are beginning to move from barrel to tank where it will be bottled soon. During this final process we taste every barrel at least twice, so it can take several weeks of barrel and blend taste-offs to discover the final composition of the wine. The four wines in the March shipment truly showcase our estate vineyards and how the wines change over time. All three of The Point Cabernet Sauvignons are exceptional wines with lots of expression and character. It is a unique opportunity to taste three different vintages of this wine and see how the wine has developed over time with the subtle changes in composition. Also, the 2015 Homestead Chardonnay was produced from another fantastic harvest season that shows bright opulent fruit with a pleasant balance and weight on the palate. I hope you enjoy! Sincerely, John Clews, Winemaker

2011 KULETO ESTATE THE POINT CABERNET SAUVIGNON, NAPA VALLEY The 2011 The Point Cabernet projects surprisingly ripe aromas and flavors considering the vintage, once again illustrating how different the Kuleto Estate is from most of the Napa Valley. It smells like blackberry vines loaded with ripe berries along a hot dusty gravel road. The ripe fruit is balanced with sweet vanilla and spice notes from wood. Everything about this wine evokes warmth and ripeness. Composition: Vineyard: Aging: Alcohol: TA: ph: Cases: 92%Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Syrah, 1% Sangiovese (from a single co-fermented lot) Kuleto Estate 26 months in 30% new French oak and 5% new Virginia oak 14.7% 6.5 g/l 3.66 292 2012 KULETO ESTATE THE POINT CABERNET SAUVIGNON, NAPA VALLEY For those of you who believe bigger is better, this is definitely the wine for you. It is a big, robust wine in every sense of the word. Wild and grapey aromas mingle on the nose and are highlighted by the alcohol. Sweet-spicy and musty earth flavors coat the palate with strong tannins that go on and on in the mouth. Yet, this does not mean that the wine is out of balance. A subtle acidity and roundness finishes this wine. Composition: Vineyard: Aging: Alcohol: TA: ph: Cases: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Syrah (from a single co-fermented lot) Kuleto Estate 27 months in 33% new oak 67% French and 33% American 14.9% 6.6 g/l 3.53 211

2014 KULETO ESTATE THE POINT CABERNET SAUVIGNON, NAPA VALLEY Everything about the 2014 The Point Cabernet evokes the shimmering hot summer days up here on the mountain. There is something melted about this wine. The color is like reddish black tar. The leading aroma is dominated by melted black and red licorice candy smells followed up by super-ripe or sun-baked blackberries. The oak contributes a vanilla extract headiness to the fruit and spice. This wine is the perfect cold weather sipping wine! Composition: Vineyard: Aging: Alcohol: TA: ph: Cases: 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Syrah, 2% Malbec (from a single co-fermented lot) Kuleto Estate 29 months in 33% new oak 75% French and 25% American 14.7% 5.54 g/l 3.86 107 2015 KULETO ESTATE HOMESTEAD CHARDONNAY, NAPA VALLEY Vintage 2015 gave us yet another beautiful harvest in the Napa Valley. This year in particular was marked by a few late-season heat spells that created opulent fruit with great concentration. The heat helps to completely ripen the grapes and bring out the tremendous fruit flavors and textural depth. This wine is remarkable with its simultaneous attack of flavor and structure as soon as it hits your palate. It is both intensely fresh and immensely satisfying with each sip. Composition: 100% Chardonnay Vineyard: Kuleto Estate Aging: 14 months in 20%new French oak Alcohol: 13.9% TA: 7.0 g/l ph: 3.44 Cases: 254

SAVE THE DATE Mark your calendars for upcoming events at Kuleto Estate! Villa Urbana Saturday, April 21, 2018 12pm 3pm This divine celebration of wine dates back to the Roman Empire, when entire communities came together to sip wine and celebrate Venus, the goddess of everyday wine, and Jupiter, the god of fine wine! At Kuleto, we cherish the history of wine, and we absolutely love having a good time! We hope to have our Kuleto community take the ride up the mountain, to spend the day sipping on our wines, delighting in delectable Italian fare and celebrating the divinity of fine wine. As you re probably aware, parking is limited and we would like to encourage you to please arrange ride sharing where possible. We will reward your trek and ride sharing with delightful surprises and amazing wine specials, exclusively available during Vinalia Urbana. As a member of our marvelous wine club, you will receive two complimentary tickets! You may also purchase up to four additional tickets for $45 each. Be sure to make it here by noon to be a part of the Blessing of the Wine Ceremony! Saluti! For more information and details, please visit kuletoestate.com/events Villa Urbana 2017 at Kuleto Estate

REORDER AND SHIPPING INFORMATION 2011 The Point Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Retail $80.00 Wine Club $64.00 Reorder $56.00 2012 The Point Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Retail $80.00 Wine Club $64.00 Reorder $56.00 2014 The Point Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Retail $80.00 Wine Club $64.00 Reorder $56.00 2015 Homestead Chardonnay, Napa Valley Retail $45.00 Wine Club $36.00 Reorder $31.50 Enjoy 30% savings on re-orders of current club wines. Order 12 or more bottles of any of the current club wines and receive 1 ground shipping while supplies last (not valid to HI or AK). To order, please visit www.kuletoestate.com or contact us at (866) 485-7579 or wineclub@kuletoestate.com. Offer expires April 30, 2018. 2470 Sage Canyon Road, St. Helena, CA 94574 707.302.2209 www.kuletoestate.com info@kuletoestate.com wineclub@kuletoestate.com www.kuletoestate.com/specialtastings Estate Tours & Wine Tasting Daily By Appointment Seven Days a Week Membership & Benefit Details Visit www.kuletoestate.com or call (866) 485.7579 KE0318