Spring Update

Kicking things off right, we'd like to give a big shout-out to our local boy, Walker Ryan, who's landed his first magazine cover. Here he is holding the April 2013 issue of Transworld Skateboarding, one of the premier mags in the industry:

Walker just recently had a part in Transworld's skateboarding film Perpetual Motion which premiered last week in L.A. and San Francisco. The cover was the cherry on top for the year he's spent filming for the video.

Walker's parents have been drinking Karl Lawrence since he first stepped on a skateboard and we've been lucky enough to see him shredding the sidewalks of St. Helena for the last 20 years. 

He was instrumental in our town's mission to build a skatepark, and has never forgotten his roots despite his constant flux of global travel. Even his shaggy 16-year-old sillouhette can be seen in the middle of the park's sign!

If you've been by the office, you've seen his first pro-model skateboard hanging on the wall. By your next visit, we should have the mag hanging next to it. Here's a closer look:

Make sure to get a copy for yourself. They'll be hitting stores and stands this week. For more on Transworld and Perpetual Motion, check out skateboarding.transworld.net.

In other news, Cycling Team Karl Lawrence recently summited Mt. Diablo. Here's Ric, Bob Fores, Mark Jensen, and Dave Jamieson to prove it:

The mountain earns its name by providing 4,000 ft. of elevation in just a 10-mile climb. The crew logged a total of 35 miles for the trip.

And for all of you wondering about our inventory:

- All of our Aldin is sold out! 
- Only a few case of '09 remain. 
- The '10 is selling at a fast clip.  
- The '10 Reserves should be released in late March, after the bottles are labeled.

That's it for now. If you have any ordering questions and/or bicycle requests, you can email ric@karllawrence.com. 

Karl Lawrence says Aloha

Albert Holt has been with us since the early days. Here's him and Cheryl in Hawaii. 

Al took Ric and Cheryl to the Top of Waikiki and gave them his two cents on the plethora of great Hawaiian golf links.

Besides drinking Karl Lawrence, Albert stays busy running AL's Kona Coffee. Give them a look! www.alskonacoffee.com

2013 Happenings

Ken Yzurdiaga heard that the Karl Lawrence warehouse would be closing down within the year, so he stopped by to help clear it out. Y'all can help, too!

Also, Ric guided his KL friends on a cycle tour of the back roads of the Upper Napa Valley.  

On their trek to the shore of Lake Hennessy, they encountered one car on the final ten mile loop. Bob Fores, on the right, organizes the Ride For Mom ride in Modesto. You can ride with Ric there on May 13. Check it out at www.rideformom.com.

Also, if you happen to have the blues on Valentines Day, head down to the Cameo Cinema the day after  to boogie-woogie  with Mitch Woods and his Rocket 88s. 

Ric helped book Mitch. The blues man's been a longtime fan of Karl Lawrence and really knows how to throw a party. 

You can't beat wine and the blues. Especially at the Cameo, where all three of Ric's kids have worked. 

Mitch Woods: mitchwoods.com. The Cameo Cinema: cameocinema.com.

Baby Jack and the 2010 Release!

In our first blog post of 2013, three-month-old Jack Solo Henry helps his dad, Jefferson, notify everyone that our Karl Lawrence 2010 is available TODAY!

It was his first email blast, and let us be the first to say, he made us proud...

Check our website for ordering information.

Library Sale Tasting Notes

Maybe it's been a couple years since you had that killer dinner party and finished off the last of your '04 cab. Or maybe you can't quite remember just how tasty the '03 Aldin was you drank for New Years 2010. Or, hey, perhaps you missed a couple years.

No matter the case, here's your chance to get the scoop behind the juice.

Below are updated tasting notes for our first library sale assembled by none other than our winemaker, Michael Trujillo.

Sale begins Monday December 3rd at 11:00 AM. Order online at www.karllawrence.com. First come, first served. All sales are final. Email jefferson@karllawrence.com with any questions.

2008 Karl Lawrence Cabernet – Drinking rich, lush, and plush. Big and forward dark chocolate, currants, and black fruits rush up in the nose and pallet. 2008 was a riper vintage that gave way to more decadence rather than firm structure. Well assembled with acid and fine tannin but more of a fat, richer style wine to be enjoyed sooner rather than later.

Drink – Drinking great now! Will hold for another 5 -8 years but likely shed some of its decadence over time.

2007 Karl Lawrence Cabernet – Drinking well now but time will only improve this 2007. Still showing its youthfulness but lots of promise ahead. Upon opening, it expresses black fruits, ripe plum, and spice. Shy on the aromas at first but opens up nicely. The initial flavors are a bit reserved and a bit wound but defiantly has the stuffing. Dense, firm structure with a complexity open gently to the Cabernet Karl Lawrence is known for.

Drink – Hold off if possible. Can drink now with generous decanting. Will hold in cellar for another decade.

2006 Karl Lawrence Cabernet – Evolving into a beautiful wine. Time in the bottle has done well with this 2006 Cabernet and even more time will be more rewarding. Today, this wine is just rounding the corner to its fineness and complexity. Showing abundant black fruits, mocha, and a sweetness in the nose. On the pallet the firmness and structure are apparent but quickly give way to a beautiful, well-rounded wine. Bright, fresh, and expressive. Great food wine.

Drink – Now with decanting. Will hold in cellar through 2017 at least.

2005 Karl Lawrence Cabernet – Drinking smooth with complexity and balance. The abundant harvest in this vintage has 2005 wines being more subtle and complex rather than big and bold. This 2005 Karl Lawrence is showing clean bright red fruits of red cherry, hints of cocoa and the infamous Rutherford dustiness. Medium plus weight to the overall wine but well balance with acidity and fine tannin to carry this wine forward. Good food wine.

Drink – Now or over next 3 to 5 years

 2004 Karl Lawrence Cabernet – Wow, beyond expectations. Big, dense, rich, bold, complex, and fun. 2004 gave us a very hot harvest and wines that were a bit clumsy and tannic at bottling. However, time has done well for this 2004 Karl Lawrence Cab. Pretty and rich wine. Forward and aromatic notes of black fruits, coffee, tobacco and cedar. A slight mineralality shows a bit too. The balance on this wine is great and the expressions are generous throughout the journey on the pallet. A great wine through and through.

Drink – Drinking great now. Has at least 5 years ahead.

2008 Aldin Red Wine – Drinking great now.  Forward and pretty is a good way to express this 2008 Aldin Red Wine. Very aromatic with hints of red fruits, caramel, vanilla and sweet cinnamon all come forward. The flavors burst forward with lush and abundant offerings. A mellow yet complex red wine with a silky texture. Tannins and acid are well integrated to give a long and lingering finish.

Drink – Enjoy now and over the next few years.

2004 Aldin Red Wine  - Drinking great now and still has life ahead. A pleasant showing for a hot harvest. When bottled, this was a big and chewy Aldin Red but has carried well over the years. Defiantly has weight and structure. Takes some time to open up but gives way to big, forward, dense and rich aromas and flavors. Rich black fruits of black cherry and currants pave the way for an exceptional rich and complex wine on the pallet. This wine has plenty to offer up and enjoy.  

Drink- Now or can be held for a few more years. A solid wine.

2003 Aldin Red Wine  - Pretty and sexy. 2003 was a sleeper vintage and no exception for this Aldin Red. This wine is drinking like silk and fun to drink now. Aromas, flavors and balance are in full stride making this wine fun to drink NOW. Still showing fruit, complexity and has not swayed to being tired at all. Easy drinking.

Drink – Enjoy now! 

Fín

Well, folks, we're sure you've all been sitting on the edge of your seats, waiting for the final installment of Team Karl Lawrence's 2010 century ride.

This episode features some more rest stop banter, funky tunes, and shots of the valley that should have everyone getting on their bikes come August 2013 (hopefully a few months earlier if you plan on being in shape enough to finish).

Once again, if you'd like to join us next year, email ric@karllawrence.com. Thanks for watching. Here is the final chapter of Wine Guys in Spandex:

Wine Guys in Spandex: Part 5 of 6

In this leg of the Tour of Napa Valley 2010, Team Karl Lawrence listens to violins, rides Lake Hennessey to Star Wars tunes, and even reconnects with a long lost friend.

It's almost over, and it's sad. But, no worries, people. All you need to do is join us in real life in 2013: