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Cream Wine Company
118 N. Peoria St., 3rd Fl
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 421-1900 tel
(312) 421-1977 fax
service@creamwine.com

Home | Producers | Dashe Cellars

Dashe Cellars

www.dashecellars.com
Anne and Michael Dashe? Which one is the fish...
Anne and Michael Dashe? Which one is the fish...
Country of Origin: USA
Location: Alameda
People: Michael & Anne Dashe, Owners & Winemakers


You are wondering about the what the label means? Simply put, the monkey riding on the back of a fish is meant to represent two unique creatures (Mike and Anne) traveling together on a journey. It is also meant to be playful and fun - qualities they value in life and at the winery.

Dashe Cellars is a family-run artisan winery founded in 1996 by the husband and wife winemaking team of Michael and Anne Dashe. Crafting small allotments of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines, Dashe Cellars marries techniques from California and the great winemaking regions of France. The results are complex, sensuous red wines that capture the charm and personality of top Sonoma vineyards in the Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys. With complementary degrees in enology from the University of Bordeaux, and the University of California at Davis, they knew that their combined backgrounds could result in something special. They share their experience and insights gained from top wineries such as Chappellet, Seavey Vineyards, Ridge Vineyards, Far Niente, Schramsberg and RWS Brandy Distillery, plus Château La Dominique in Saint-Emilion. Building on relationships established by Michael during his winemaking years, the Dashes began by selecting a portfolio of respected vineyard partners. Their goal was simple: to create wines that captured the unique soil, climate and regional characteristics of world-class vineyards.

Focusing on older vines, steep hillside locations, rocky soils and stressful growing conditions, Dashe Cellars works closely with their growers to ensure careful vineyard management and low yields. With specific blocks set aside under long-term contract, Michael and Anne make harvesting decisions for every vineyard property. As head winemaker, Michael applies traditional techniques including small lot fermentation, the use of indigenous yeast, and little or no fining or filtration. In addition, Dashe Cellars utilizes 12 distinct small family coopers, with an emphasis on older French oak for its barrel program. With current production at roughly 8,500 cases, and no plans to grow beyond 10,000, Dashe Cellars remains committed to a hands-on, artisan's approach to winemaking. With roots firmly planted in two cultures and two winemaking traditions, they have worked to create a winemaking style that brings together the best of the Old World and the New World. They describe their style as a velvet fist in an iron glove.
Items
Dashe 2008 Dry Creek Zinfandel Net Price — Downloads New!
Dashe 2009 Zinfandel 'Les Enfants Terrible,' McFadden Farm Net Price — Downloads
Dashe 2009 Zinfandel 'Les Enfants Terrible,' Heart Arrow Vnyd Net Price — Downloads
Dashe 2006 Zinfandel, Louvau Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley Net Price Reviews Downloads
Dashe 2007 Zinfandel, Todd Brothers Ranch, Alexander Valley Net Price Reviews Downloads
Dashe (375 ml) 2008 Zinfandel, Late Harvest, Dry Creek Valley Net Price — —
Reviews
Dashe 2007 Zinfandel, Todd Brothers Ranch, Alexander Valley
Rating: 91

The deep ruby/purple-tinged 2007 Zinfandel Todd Brothers Ranch reveals an attractive bouquet of white chocolate, briery fruit, spice box, and a Provencal/garrigue-like character. Full-bodied, rich, and heady, this gorgeous Zin possesses both elegance and power. Enjoy it over the next 5-7 years.

- The Wine Advocate (2/1/2010)

Dashe 2007 Dry Creek Zinfandel
Rating: 88

The 2007 Zinfandel Dry Creek exhibits a dark ruby/purple color as well as lots of raspberry, black cherry, and spice characteristics offered in an uncomplicated, but exuberant style. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, and pure, it can be enjoyed now and over the next 2-3 years.

- The Wine Advocate (2/1/2010)

Dashe 2006 Zinfandel, Florence Vineyard
Rating: 90

A recent planting of the St. Peter's Church selection, these young vines (planted in 2002) provided a super ripe, peppery Zin in 2007. The scent edges toward prunes, but the fruit retains some freshness. Serve it at the end of the meal with cheese.

- Wine & Spirits (2/1/2010)

Dashe 2007 Zinfandel, Todd Brothers Ranch, Alexander Valley
Rating: 93

Mike Dashe usually harvests the old vines at this Geyserville vineyard first - in 2007, that was early September. He doesn't inoculate the must and uses older French oak to mature the wine. The result is a zin with freshness and lovely textural grace. The fruit runs from transparent cherry skin to ripe peach and earthier notes of sweet carrots pulled directly out of the garden. As bright and juicy as the wine may be, the tannins are potent and need age to mellow. For the cellar, and eventually, brisket.

- Wine & Spirits (2/1/2010)

Dashe 2006 Zinfandel, Florence Vineyard
Rating: 87

Ripe and racy, with high-toned black cherry, vanilla and dill aromas leading to flavors of wild berry and Asian spice that finish with a slight burn. Drink now through 2012. 420 cases made.

- The Wine Spectator (2/1/2009)

Dashe 2006 Zinfandel, Louvau Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
Rating: 90

More gamey, earthy, foresty, pepper, and meaty, briery, raspberry fruit characteristics emerge from the 2006 Zinfandel Louvau Vineyard Old Vines. This medium to full-bodied, elegant, zesty, delicious Zinfandel will drink well over the next 2-4 years.

- The Wine Advocate (2/1/2010)

Dashe 2006 Zinfandel, Florence Vineyard
Rating: 92

“Here’s a robust, sinfully rich Zinfandel that’s bursting at the seams with flavor. Explodes in the mouth with blackberries, cherries, black raspberries, chocolate, licorice, butterscotch and pepper. But it’s no mere fruit bomb,with beautiful acids and tannins providing structurs. Drink now" Steve Heimoff April 2009

- The Wine Enthusiast (4/1/2009)

Dashe 2006 Zinfandel, Todd Brothers Ranch, Alexander Valley
Rating: 96

There's bracing tension in this serious young zin, layers of black raspberry, licorice and red apple intensity that lasts for minutes after each sip. The texture is generous and broad, the brisk fruit feels lovely. A great vintage from these 50-year-old vines.

- Wine & Spirits (2/1/2009)

Dashe 2006 Dry Creek Zinfandel
Rating: 93

Lovely florals make this initially appealing, then concentrated dark fruit and mineral tannins grip like a velvet color, holding a wine that will require years to release its flavor. It's layered and generously full.

- Wine & Spirits (2/1/2009)

Dashe (375 ml) 2007 Zinfandel, Late Harvest
Rating: 88

A zinny take on Port, this sweet and balanced, with lasting black fruit. Decant it for blue cheese.

- Wine & Spirits (2/1/2009)

Dashe 2005 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley
Rating: 94

- Wine & Spirits (2/1/2008)

Dashe 2005 Zinfandel, Todd Brothers Ranch, Alexander Valley
Rating: 91

Made in a totally different style, the 2005 Zinfandel Todd Brothers Vineyard is a deep ruby/purple-tinged offering displaying more chocolatey black fruits, tremendous intensity (it’s one of the most concentrated Zinfandels of the vintage), and outstanding balance, richness, and length. Full-bodied with stunning purity and texture, it is a genuine revelation in this vintage. Drink it over the next 2-3 years.

- The Wine Advocate (12/21/2007)

Dashe 2005 Zinfandel, Louvau Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
Rating: 88

A serious effort is the 2005 Zinfandel Louvau Vineyard. Although closed at present, it reveals nuances of underbrush, pepper, spice, and forest floor as well as attractive levels of black cherry and berry fruit. It requires another 6-8 months to round into a drinkable Zin, and it should evolve for 2-3 years.

- The Wine Advocate (12/21/2007)

Dashe 2005 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley
Rating: 90

The 2005 Zinfandel Dry Creek (blended with 5% Petite Sirah) is both a beauty and a superb value. A deep ruby/purple color as well as aromas of raspberries, cherries, pepper, and roasted herbs are found in this impeccably well-made, medium to full-bodied, lush, tasty Zin. It should provide plenty of pleasure over the next 2-3 years. Received same score in issue 178.

- The Wine Advocate (12/21/2007)

Dashe Cellars 2004 Zinfandel, Todd Brothers Ranch, Alexander Valley
Rating: 94

" This wine grows just north of Geyserville, on 48-year-old vines planted on a steep, rocky slope. It maintains a core of the old-vine fruit goes to velvet rather than jam. It's zesty, sappy and tense, the power of the woodland blackberry fruit making a lasting impression. The velvet nap makes it dressy enough for a holiday, whether a Fourth of July cookout or a Thanksgiving turkey with sausage and apple stuffing." - Joshua Greene

- Wine & Spirits (8/1/2007)

Dashe Cellars 2004 Zinfandel, Louvau Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
Rating: 93

" From 69-year-old head-trained, dry-farmed vines in a rocky old riverbed on the Dry Creek Valley Floor, this is a spicy and cool, zinny and floral, its robust fruit intensity seeming to grow directly out of those old vines. The flavors seem to loop in long acrobatic arcs, their energy following an ornate path, anything but linear..." - Joshua Greene

- Wine & Spirits (8/1/2007)

Dashe Cellars 2005 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley
Rating: 90

"The soft, meaty tannins of this wine slowly release its zinfadel flavors of sassafras, cool, dark cherry and warm mulberries. It continues to lengthen with air, a Dry Creek edge to the texture that will suit Mediterranean-style roast lamb." - Joshua Greene

- Wine & Spirits (8/1/2007)

Dashe Cellars 2004 Zinfandel, Louvau Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
Rating: 92

Ripe, intense and rich, this is expressive and focused, with black raspberry and black pepper. Toasty oak aromas and jammy black cherry and spice flavors lead to zesty tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2011. 235 cases made.

- The Wine Spectator (6/15/2007)

Dashe Cellars 2004 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley
Rating: 91

Bright, zesty strawberry and raspberry flavors last through this classical zin. It balances peppery tension and warm, alcohol richenss in a full, generous tyle. Serve with braised pork shoulder, like Cuban pernil.

- Wine & Spirits (2/1/2007)

Dashe Cellars 2002 Merlot, Iron Oaks Vineyard, Mendocino
Rating: 90

A beautiful blend of 93% Zinfandel, 5% Petite Sirah, and 2% Carignane, this dark plum/ruby-tinged 2004 boasts a big, sweet perfume of jammy strawberries, kirsch, resin, spice, and pepper. Deep, rich, broad, soft, and seductive with a plush, full-bodied mouthfeel as well as a long finish, it will provide plenty of pleasure over the next 3-4 years.

- The Wine Advocate (6/1/2006)

Dashe Cellars 2004 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley
Rating: 90

A beautiful blend 93% Zinfandel, 5% Petite Sirah, and 2% Carignane, this dark plu/ruby-tinged 2004 boasts a big, sweet perfume of jammy strawberries, kirsch, resin, spice, and pepper. Deep, rich, broad, soft and seductive with a plush, full-bodied mouthfeel as well as long finish, it will provide plenty of pleasure over the next 3-4 years.

- The Wine Advocate (6/30/2006)