CURRENT RELEASES
2010 Chaos Theory 750ml – $40
NEW RELEASE – 1400 cases produced
Prepare to be swept away. This seventh vintage of our ever popular Chaos Theory blend lives up to its name with the addition of 5% petite sirah. This incredibly well-structured wine has it all: Beautiful fruit, bold spices, exquisite concentration, and superbly smooth texture. Chaos Theory is the new order of the day.
To order or inquire by phone, call 1.707.963.2435
- Composition
-
60% Napa Valley Estate Grown Zinfandel
35% Napa Valley Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon
5% Napa Valley Petite Sirah - Vineyard Source
- Chiles Valley, Mickey's, Rosemary's, Westside, Terraces, Eastside
- Barrel Aging
- 12 months in 33% new oak – 50/50 French/American
- Alcohol
- 14.5% by vol.
- Tasting Notes
- Inky garnet core and translucent ruby rim are brilliant, vibrant, and crystal clear. Nose delights with unmistakable Brown Estate notes of Asian apple and exotic spice that give way to gardenia, hibiscus, Moroccan rose, and effervescent citrus, interwoven with hints of eucalyptus and subtle cedar. Deeper aromas of juicy pomegranate, grenadine, macerated ripe cherries, and spun brown sugar commingle with dusty cocoa, cigar box, amber, graphite, and toasted brioche. Silky texture is intense and rich on the palate with magnificent depth, concentration, and extraction. This is a superbly bright and vivacious wine with invigorating grip. Drink now through 2022.
2010 Napa Valley Zinfandel 750ml – $40
NEW RELEASE – 700 cases produced
The 2010 growing season was marked by dramatically cool weather from bud break through bloom, with veraison delayed until mid-August. Early cool weather resulted in a reduced fruit set, and in turn the crop itself was reduced to nearly half the size of the previous vintage. As a result, production of our hallmark Napa Valley Zinfandel for 2010 was diminished significantly from the previous vintage. The good news: What little there is is delicious!
Also available in magnum (1.5L) format – scroll down.
To order or inquire by phone, call 1.707.963.2435
- Composition
- 100% Napa Valley Estate Grown Zinfandel
- Vineyard Source
- Chiles Valley, Rosemary's, Mickey's & Westside Blocks
- Barrel Aging
- 12 months in 30% new oak – 50/50 French/American
- Alcohol
- 15.2% by vol.
- Tasting Notes
- Visually alluring with a dark garnet core and soft ruby rim, this wine embodies gemstone clarity. A swirl of the glass unleashes hallmark aromas that are imprinted in each vintage of our Napa Valley Zinfandel: hibiscus blossom, Asian apple, rose petals, and lily lead to ripe wild cherries, kumquat preserves, star anise, cedar, and an enticing touch of game that ebbs and flows on the nose. Cascades of exotic spice follow, leading with allspice, clove, cinnamon, and cardamom with Madagascar vanilla and subtle tobacco. Expansive and broad with a silky, creamy mouthfeel that is interwoven seamlessly with mandarin-like zestiness that lingers on the palate. From lamb burgers and sausages on the grill to smoked trout and caviar to classic roast chicken or truffle mac and cheese, this is the black cashmere sweater of wines – always appropriate, goes with everything. Drink now through 2022.
2010 Rosemary's Block Zinfandel 750ml – $55
NEW RELEASE – 390 cases produced
Our five-acre Rosemary’s Block vineyard is the yin to Mickey’s yang. Just a stone’s throw from Mickey’s, Rosemary’s rows enjoy east-west orientation, thus benefiting from full sun throughout the day, with evening shade provided by a nearby stand of oak trees. This distinct exposure produces markedly different fruit that features red fruit characteristics and effervescent citrus. Our Rosemary’s Block vineyard is well known for its ability to produce high-definition, high-intensity fruit with magnificent focus and delicate extraction. Our father recently proclaimed after a few sips of this new vintage of Rosemary's, "That's the nicest wine I've ever tasted." Not exactly an unbiased opinion, but there you have it.
To inquire by phone, call 1.707.963.2435
- Composition
- 100% Napa Valley Estate Grown Zinfandel
- Vineyard Source
- Rosemary's Block
- Barrel Aging
- 12 months in 30% new oak – 50/50 French/American
- Alcohol
- 15.8% by vol.
- Tasting Notes
- This voluptuous wine is endowed with bright acidity, making for high drama the way only Rosemary’s Block can do it. Intense and lively, it sparkles like a gemstone in the glass. Crystal clear rosewood- and aubergine-tinged core gives way to a delicate scarlet rim. Nose delivers billowing fragrance of star lily, tuberose, lavender, and subtle violet, followed by orange blossoms, grenadine, and candied kumquat. The 2010 vintage remains true to its vineyard source where red fruit characteristics dominate, taking center stage with unfailing high resolution and reveling in the company of effervescent citrus, exotic spice, mocha, and cascades of heavy cream. Lush, dense, and full-bodied with a mouthfeel of luxurious velvet and silk brocade. Sure to excite the palate. Drink now through 2022.
2010 Mickey's Block Zinfandel 750ml – $50
NEW RELEASE – 330 cases produced
Our Mickey’s Block zinfandel vineyard is located on the far west side of our property beside a seasonal stream at an elevation of 1100 ft. The soils are volcanic, rocky, and mineral rich, with ideal quantities of sand and clay. This tiny six-acre vineyard has long been coveted for its unusually small clusters and berry size, which provide maximum intensity due to the high ratio of skins to volume. Mickey’s Block is our only zinfandel vineyard with a north-south orientation. Shaded in the morning, it gets the afternoon and evening sun, and is subject to a diurnal shift in temperature during the ripening season that allows us to gain maximal extraction and intensity.
To inquire by phone, call 1.707.963.2435
- Composition
- 100% Napa Valley Estate Grown Zinfandel
- Vineyard Source
- Mickey's Block
- Barrel Aging
- 12 months in 30% new oak – 50/50 French/American
- Alcohol
- 15% by vol.
- Tasting Notes
- Brilliant garnet core and translucent ruby rim. Bouquet is an intricately woven tapestry that reveals only some of the mysteries of how the 2010 growing season influenced Mickey’s Block. This wine is a study in contradictions, differing immensely from the previous vintage in that it is bone dry and far more complex in character. It is by turns dark and brooding with savory aromas of pimento smoked roasted animal, grilled herbs, and subtle embers, and ethereal with delicate floral notes of lilac and lavender mixed with citrus blossom and subtle anise. Further engagement reveals rich and decadent notes of milk chocolate, espresso, English toffee, brandied currants, cake batter, heavy cream, and winter spice, with a final layer of blackberries, boysenberries, orange peel, a hint of dried apricot, graphite, and peat. Mouthfeel is luxurious and silky with firm tannins. Broad and expansive with a medium body and a seamless long and lingering finish. Drink now through 2019.
2010 Petite Sirah 750ml – $55
NEW RELEASE – 190 cases produced
In 2008 BE winegrower Dave Brown began working with petite sirah fruit from a neighboring vineyard. He was so taken with its potential that he planted a little at Brown Estate. Quiet as it's kept, Dave has stated that if he could work with only one grape, he would choose petite sirah. Next time you see him, ask him why. Meanwhile, a bottle of the 2010 may shed some light. In a world of heavyweight champion, pedal-to-the-metal petite sirahs, our 2010 vintage reiterates that elegance, refinement, and poise trump sheer power and brute strength.
To order or inquire by phone, call 1.707.963.2435
- Composition
- 100% Napa Valley Petite Sirah
- Barrel Aging
- 12 months in 50% new oak – 50/50 French/American
- Alcohol
- 14.5% by vol.
- Tasting Notes
- Pools of dark black and blue ink flow and fill the glass. Swirl it and it’s instantly rose-colored. More enticing even than the visuals is the nose, bursting forth with romantic aromas of fresh cut roses, lavender in the field, and eucalyptus with warm boysenberry crisp, smoldering herbs, and pipe tobacco. Not to be overlooked are wonderfully subtle yet persistent notes of Sunday morning bacon, biscuits, and winter spice which develop into an exotic savory medley of cardamom, coriander, and a hint of cumin. Remarkably luxurious and decadent on the palate with unbelievable depth, length, and texture, this wine embodies everything we adore about petite sirah – including marvelous structure and a multifaceted nature that ventures beyond the confines of one dimensionality and into a kaleidoscope of seamlessly integrated parts. Decant for one hour before serving if you drink now, or cellar until 2025.
2010 Chardonnay 750ml – $55
NEW RELEASE – 350 cases produced
Our chardonnay vineyard is a bona fide outlier, residing at the far northwest corner of our estate property. The soil in this truly wild west vineyard is a dense gray clay, thick enough to pull your shoe off your foot should you venture out when it’s damp. At four acres it typically yields a mere two tons maximum per acre. The fruit extracts from the clay soil a terrifically complex minerality that sets the resulting wine apart from typical Napa Valley chardonnay offerings.
To order or inquire by phone, call 1.707.963.2435
- Composition
- 100% Napa Valley Estate Grown Chardonnay
- Vineyard Source
- Far West Block
- Barrel Aging
- Barrel fermented in 30% new French oak
- Alcohol
- 13.8% by vol.
- Tasting Notes
- Stunning gemstone brilliance of lemon quartz dazzles in the glass and instantly captivates the eye. The nose is instinctively drawn to the complex yet immediately gratifying bouquet that begins with predominant top notes of honeysuckle, star jasmine, and lily. Secondary notes of pineapple, kiwi, and honeyed pear follow, interwoven with candied Meyer lemon and subtle toffee-coated/buttered popcorn. Intrigue continues to unfold with textural notes of delicately toasted Spanish almonds, dusty limestone, and subtle brine. Mouthfeel is immensely broad, rich, and plush, with cascading layers of tropical star apple, guava, and lychee enveloped by creamy, round texture and finishing with lemon zest – providing a delightful counterpoint between lush, creamy texture and zesty, bright acidity. Drink now through 2020.
COMING SOON
2010 Westside Zinfandel 750ml – $50
RELEASE TO MEMBERS ONLY– 250 cases produced
Our Westside Zinfandel takes its name from the westerly location on our estate property where its namesake vineyard – a true outlier in every sense – grows. This far-flung corner of our land, home also to our small but heroic chardonnay vineyard, is our own wild, wild West. Volcanic and desert-like, the soil “out there” is rich with minerals and yields extraordinary zinfandel fruit that embodies a rarefied balance between ripeness and structure, a winning combination that produces one of the most stunning examples of the zinfandel varietal you’ll find anywhere. This wine has been allocated to our Library Club members for Spring 2012 and to our Estate Club and California Club members for Summer 2012. Due to limited production, thereafter it will be available only to members by request and to Zinapalooza attendees.
To inquire by phone, call 1.707.963.2435
- Composition
- 100% Napa Valley Estate Grown Zinfandel
- Vineyard Source
- Westside Block
- Barrel Aging
- 12 months in 30% new oak – 50/50 French/American
- Alcohol
- 15.9% by vol.
- Tasting Notes
- Our 2010 Westside Zinfandel harks back to the original 2006 vintage, with its striking black cherry cola and clove characteristics. This luscious, rich wine is not holding back – it is eager to express to the eye, nose, and palate its numerous virtues. Gorgeous magenta core and translucent ruby rim dazzle the eye and invite the nose into a billowing bouquet of wild strawberries, raspberries, and black cherry compote, punctuated by hints of cinnamon, cloves, heavy cream, and subtle vanilla. Floral notes of fresh cut roses, lilac, and jasmine commingle with buoyant notes of effervescent citrus, cola, garden soil, and subtle game. This wine is easy on the palate, yet its structural integrity is on full display thanks to a remarkable level of acidity that supports a deep, broad, long, and seamless finish. Drink now through 2022.
2010 Chiles Valley Zinfandel 750ml – $50
FALL 2012 RELEASE – 400 cases produced
The fruit for this wine comes from a rowdy little vineyard block situated at the heart of Brown Estate. Like a willful, rambunctious child, this vineyard has challenged and frustrated us. Its wildly aggressive canopy stretches the limits of our creativity in canopy management. And as it thrives in our lush, fertile riparian zone, it demands that we drop an abundance of fruit during the growing season. Over the years we have wrestled, skirmished, and struck deals with this vineyard. Our reward: The crown jewel in the Brown Estate zinfandel lineup. Immensely juicy and rich on the palate, our Chiles Valley Zinfandel consistently earns Best in Show from winemaker Dave Brown himself. Need we say more?
To inquire by phone, call 1.707.963.2435
- Composition
- 100% Napa Valley Estate Grown Zinfandel
- Vineyard Source
- Chiles Valley Block
- Barrel Aging
- 12 months in 30% new oak – 50/50 French/American
- Alcohol
- 15.5% by vol.
- Tasting Notes
- Check back in Fall 2012.
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml – $60
FALL 2012 RELEASE – 300 cases produced
On our hillside terraces, a retiring black bear comes out to eat grapes when the fruit is ripe. We let him take what he wants, and we harvest the rest to produce this gracious old world wine. Throughout our twelve years of cabernet sauvignon production, we have been steadfast traditionalists where our barrel and bottle aging programs are concerned, investing generously — and patiently — in both. We think the results speak for themselves.
To inquire by phone, call 1.707.963.2435
- Composition
- 100% Napa Valley Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon
- Vineyard Source
- Brown Estate Terraces Block
- Barrel Aging
- 36 months in 30% new French oak
- Alcohol
- 14.5% by vol.
- Tasting Notes
- Violet-hued royal ruby core subtly hints at deep-seated flavors of dark blue and black fruit that reveal themselves slowly and deliberately with time in the glass. Nose immediately and unmistakably proclaims its Napa Valley pedigree with dusty overtones, also present on the palate, giving way to classic aromas of Brown Estate hillside fruit, punctuated by lofty notes of black cherry and boysenberry. Gorgeous notes of blueberry, blackberry, white flowers and subtle citrus intermingle with damp earth, graphite, and spice box. Opulent mouthfeel with loads of cascading plush velvet reflect a generous, luxurious spirit that brilliantly expresses unctuousness without feeling overly weighty thanks to an underlying reverberation of lively acidity that lengthens and extends the finish, taking the canvas of complexities on the palate to exhilarating heights. Still very young as cabernet sauvignon goes, this wine will benefit from decanting. Tremendous structure bodes well for long-term ageability.
MAGNUMS
2010 Napa Valley Zinfandel 1.5L
"Message on a Bottle" Celebration Magnum – $95
NEW RELEASE – 450 cases produced
Mother Nature did her thing during the 2010 growing season, and David took it from there. As a result of their collaboration, we have an array of powerhouse Brown zins to share with you for 2012. Our second annual "Message on a Bottle" magnum package contains our not-yet-released 2010 Napa Valley Zinfandel. These bottles, signed by the Brown Estate "Core Four," make a beautiful gift – for you or someone else. Cellar until the 2012 holiday season then drink when you like!
To order or inquire by phone, call 1.707.963.2435
- Estate & Library members will receive two of these bottles in your Winter 2011 allocation. For details about the wine inside, see above.
- The Message
- This 2010 vintage represents the 15th bottling of our flagship Napa Valley Zinfandel, the wine that launched our Brown Estate label, and with it an out-of-bounds dream. For sixteen years—inspired by your enthusiasm—we have stayed the course, quietly producing premium estate grown wines and transforming our “little winery that could” into an established Napa Valley brand. As we turn this corner and begin heading toward our next milestone, we again take stock of where we have come from and where we are going. It has been and continues to be an extraordinary adventure. Out here in the woods, far off the beaten path, we have built our very own wine oasis. And to every intrepid wine enthusiast we meet—from eager newby to seasoned connoisseur—we profess our golden rule: “Wine should not be stressful.” May this bottle of our pride and joy bring you and yours a magical evening and many cherished memories. Salud!
2009 Napa Valley Zinfandel 1.5L
Commemorative Anniversary Magnum – $95
325 cases produced
In 2010, the year this wine was bottled, we celebrated our family's 30th year in the Napa Valley and Brown Estate's 15th crush. To commemorate these milestones we produced our first "Message on a Bottle" magnum bearing the inscription at right. This bottle has become a fan favorite as much for the contents as for the package itself. Drink now or cellar.
To order or inquire by phone, call 1.707.963.2435
- Estate & Library members received two of these bottles in your Winter 2010 allocation. For details about the wine inside, see above.
- The Message
- This year we celebrate our thirtieth year in the Napa Valley, and Brown Estate’s fifteenth crush. We thank all of you, with all of our hearts, for your continued enjoyment of our wines and your truly stupendous support of our once little endeavor. Each time you open and share a bottle of Brown Estate, you wrap your arms around us. It is an embrace that we cherish, a gesture that gives meaning to all of the passion and commitment we put into what we do. Thank you for making us a part of your lives, and for being a part of ours. Now onward & upward! The sky’s the limit!
2008 Napa Valley Zinfandel 1.5L Etched Magnum – $150
FINAL OFFERING - VERY LIMITED (NO DISCOUNTS APPLY)
"The Brown family continues to show the potential of Chiles Valley in eastern Napa for ethereal Zinfandel." So wrote the San Francisco Chronicle in December 2010 when they selected this wine for their "Top 100" list. This gorgeous gift bottle features our label and winegrower Dave Brown's signature etched and highlighted in gold, but the wine inside is what's really special. Drink now or cellar.
To inquire by phone, call 1.707.963.2435
- Composition
- 100% Napa Valley Estate Grown Zinfandel
- Vineyard Source
- Chiles Valley, Rosemary's, Mickey's & Westside Blocks
- Barrel Aging
- 12 months in 25% new oak – 50/50 French/American
- Alcohol
- 15.5% by vol.
- Tasting Notes
- Our 2008 Napa Valley Zinfandel boasts the classic exotic nose of its hallmark lineage while displaying a delicate clear rim surrounding beautifully clear garnet color with a touch of blue. Nose opens to give way to hibiscus flower, Chinese five spice, dried kumquat and a touch of early morning bakery. Full-bodied with a juicy mouthfeel and expressive sweet black raspberry, pomegranate, and black currant, this wine is also exuberant with sweet citron, fleshy fruit, cinnamon toast, and deep dark jam. Briary asphalt and a touch of hillside dust impart a complexity that will take your enjoyment to new heights. Drink now through 2018.
SPECIAL BOTTLINGS
2011 Betelgeuse* Rosé 750ml – $18 Retail & Members
275 cases produced
This wine is a saignée of cabernet sauvignon. The term saignée refers to both the winemaking technique – literarally, “bleeding” – and the wine itself. The juice for this wine was bled from our 2011 estate grown cabernet sauvignon, which, thanks to a rainy 2011 growing season, was endowed with an abundance of juice, thus making it a suitable “donor.” The result is an irresistible Provençal style rosé.
To order or inquire by phone, call 1.707.963.2435
- Composition
- 100% Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- Alcohol
- 13% by vol.
- Tasting Notes
- Behold the ethereal beauty and clarity of this wine – Summer of Love in a bottle! Enriched with the forward fruit of a big red, possessed of the delicate essence of a classic white, our 2011 Betelgeuse* Rosé hints subtly at the regal qualities found in the cabernet sauvignon from which it was bled. The nose opens with the tea-like herbaciousness of chamomile blossom and a round floral note of jasmine flower, giving way to seductive honeydew melon, guava, and lychee. The palate bursts with animated summer fruit flavors – strawberry, nectarine, and ruby red grapefruit – and finishes with a vibrant, crisp, zesty minerality. Light-bodied and dry, this refreshing wine will complement all of your favorite summer cuisine, whether hors d'œuvre, starter course, or main. Drink now.
2008 Recluse Zinfandel 750ml – $58
NEW RELEASE – 390 cases produced
At harvest 2008, we embarked upon a new chapter in the storied history of Brown Estate zinfandel: We set out to create a “reserve” zin as an homage to our '98 vintage – the third in our career as a producer, lost in its entirety to a warehouse fire in June 2000. (Click here for that story.) Winegrower Dave Brown selected by hand from the 2008 vintage a small lot of small-cluster berries – sourced from all four of our zinfandel blocks – that was held back from our flagship Napa zin blend and lavished with prolonged cellaring. The result: A sleeping giant that adds a new dimension to the Brown zin lineup.
To order or inquire by phone, call 1.707.963.2435
- Vineyard Source
- Chiles Valley, Rosemary's Mickey's & Westside Blocks
- Barrel Aging
- 30 months in 30% new oak – 100% French
- Alcohol
- 14.9% by vol.
- Tasting Notes
- Deep, dense, dark, and seductive with carnelian core and crimson rim, this wine captivates instantly with the promise of lush decadence. The nose bursts forth with an alluring bouquet of blackberry, boysenberry, and tangerine interwoven with subtle smoke, cedar wood, eucalyptus, saddle, and bay laurel. Following closely are exotic cascades of coriander, cinnamon, fennel, and clove, topped off by savory notes of grilled herbs, dried tobacco leaves, and gamey black currant. Time in the glass reveals glorious aromas of English toffee with caramel, praline, and crème anglaise. Mouthfeel is structural and complex with texture and depth reminiscent of a big mountain cabernet, yet with luscious fruit, lively acidity, and supple, sublime tannins that deliver magnificent, seamless balance. Drink now through 2022.
2007 Duppy Conqueror
Cabernet Sauvignon Dessert Wine 375ml – $98
425 cases produced
To create this unique "double estate dessert wine," David blended our cabernet sauvignon with a superb brandy made from BE zinfandel that was distilled by his longtime friend Marko Karakasevic of Charbay Vodka fame. (Aged for six years in French oak barrels in our subterranean cave, this brandy is a revelation all its own.) With each tasting this wine blows us away. Though technically a port-style wine, no dominant prune or raisin flavor is present. Instead, all of the opulence, structure and grandeur of the cabernet grape – with its dark royal crimson color and black fruit – stand up and dance with the round and silky mystery of the fruit laden brandy, which is nearly rendered feminine in this seductive waltz.
To order or inquire by phone, call 1.707.963.2435
- Composition
-
Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon
fortified with Estate Grown Zinfandel Brandy - Vineyard Source
- Terraces Block
- Barrel Aging
- 30 months in 100% French seasoned new oak
- Alcohol
- 19.5% by vol.
- Fortification
- Four-year aged Estate Zinfandel Brandy (Mickey's Block)
- Tasting Notes
- Gorgeous deep dark ruby core with translucent garnet rim. What lies beneath this seductive visual is an exuberant aroma beginning with creme de cassis, espresso and Venezuelan dark chocolate. Tobacco and flint lead to dark currant, ripe blackberry and Affogato topped with heavy cream. The nose continues to entice with a gorgeous cascade of holiday spice, further revealing allspice, nutmeg, cloves and vanilla rounded out by whipped butter and sugar. Layered, structural, ripe, succulent and deep, with a long and lingering finish. This wine is purity in a bottle. Drink now, and forever more.