Subject: Soos Creek Newsletter Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2001 18:05:04 -0700 September 18, 2001 Dear Friends, 1999 is our choice for the vintage-of-the-decade in Washington State. The grapes from the long, cool growing season produced rich, balanced wines that are exceptionally dark in color, well structured and have excellent fruit complexity. Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - In the past, I had resisted producing a reserve wine because I saw it as a tradeoff between making a small quantity of exceptional wine but weakening the blend of our regular Cabernet. In 1999 however, the grapes were so uniformly exceptional that a tradeoff in quality was not an issue. I think both the Reserve and Columbia Valley Cabs are equally appealing but the Reserve has that elusive combination of power and finesse. It is made primarily from the older vines of two old vineyards - Champoux and Ciel du Cheval, utilizing extended skin contact after fermentation to increase and soften the tannins. It contains 13% Merlot and, for the first time, Cabernet Franc to add further complexity. The wine was aged in 50% new and 50% one-year old French oak barrels. We also made ten hand-painted etched magnums to recognize this special wine. Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - The grapes for this wine are primarily from the younger vines of the same vineyards as the Reserve plus a new vineyard, Pepperbridge, in the Walla Walla Valley. It contains 11% Merlot to balance the firm structure with the fruit in the wine and was aged in 50% new and 50% two-year old French oak barrels. This wine has a beautiful dark color, very good fruit complexity and a deep, rich texture. Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - Usually if a wine from a single vineyard is good by itself, it is also good in a blend of wines made from other vineyards. This wine however, is so distinctive in its flavor that only a small quantity is used in the Columbia Valley Cabernet blend. We, therefore, offered it as a vineyard-designated wine for the first time last year and it was so popular that we decided to continue producing it as a separate wine. The 1999 vintage is an immense wine - unique because it combines a powerful structure with exceptional fruit intensity. It was aged in 100% new French oak and has a six-bottle limit so the small quantity will be available to more of our customers. Sundance - This wine is a non-vintage blend of the 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Charbonneau vineyard and 1999 Merlot from Charbonneau and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. The 1998 Cab became very polished from an extra year of barrel aging, contributing to the supple texture of this wine. Its soft texture and delicious black cherry fruit appeals to every type of wine drinker. You will be able to sample and purchase these wines at our annual open house from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 27, 2001. This year we will be better prepared to serve you and will have a great selection of specialty cheeses to match with our wines. 1999 Order Form Prices include 15% Discount for orders received prior to October 27, 2001 Sales tax included for Washington State residents Pick Up Mail Order No. of bottles At Winery Wa. Residents Out of State Total Columbia Valley Cab 12 (1 case) $332.32 $348.32 $331.00 $_______ 6 $166.16 $178.16 $167.00 _______ 3 $83.08 $93.08 $87.50 _______ Champoux Cab 6 $166.16 $178.16 $167.00 _______ 3 $83.08 $93.08 $87.50 _______ Reserve Cab 12 $382.16 $398.16 $376.90 _______ 6 $191.08 $203.09 $189.95 _______ 3 $95.54 $105.54 $98.98 _______ 1 Etched Magnum $135.00 $145.00 $136.00 _______ Sundance=09 12 $221.54 $237.54 $229.00 _______ 6 $110.77 $122.77 $116.00 _______ 3 $55.39 $65.39 $62.00 _______ Total Order $ _______ Mail, or fax this order form and payment to: Soos Creek Wine Cellars 20404 140th Ave. S.E. Kent, Wa. 98042-3061; Fax: (253) 638-7029. Orders will be shipped in October or as soon as the weather cools. Your Shipping Address: Name:_________________________________________________ Address:________________________________________________ City:____________________________State:________Zip:_______ Credit Card Orders: VISA/MC# ________________________________ Expires:________ Credit Card Signature (required):_______________________________ Thank you for your order!