JADE MOON came into being in 2005 when Huw and Dale Morris moved from Bermuda to Paso Robles and decided to make wine. Using Huw’s knowledge of wine and the grapes growing on the neighboring vineyards, JADE MOON made its first vintage, Cabernet Sauvignon. JADE MOON, LP also sells wine in Bermuda under the WILD HOGGE label.

The JADE MOON label originated from a Vietnamese watercolor painting obtained by a relative while adopting a daughter whose name means ‘Jade’. The distinctive vivid colors with the JADE MOON title are appropriate for the painting and for our valued wine.

The east side of Paso Robles is known for its high summer temperatures that cool with ocean breezes about 50 degrees nightly. These conditions allow for the full ripening of grapes with high sugars that result in alcohol levels around 15%. The yield per acre is about three tons giving the wine rich and concentrated flavors.

2005 JADE MOON ‘CABERNET SAUVIGNON’ – SOLD OUT

The weather conditions in 2005 were close to perfect with warm weather extending into mid October when the grapes were harvested at optimum ripeness. These grapes were hand picked early October at 26 brix and underwent cold maceration for three days in one-ton bins. Fermentation was carried out, lasting 10 days. Then grapes were pressed and the wine matured in French oak barrels, 40 % new oak and 60% neutral, for 23 months.

Winning a Gold Medal award upon release in May 2008 established a demand for JADE MOON wines domestically. This first vintage had a deep, red color with a powerful bouquet reminiscent of berry fruit and forest floor. It has a great texture with soft, rounded tannins and plenty of rich flavors. The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon sold out. However if you are lucky enough to have some still in your wine cellar, it will drink well now and will do so for the next decade. Using the same Cabernet Sauvignon wine, 35 cases were bottled under the JADE MOON label and 84 cases under WILD HOGGE.



2006 JADE MOON ‘CABERNET SAUVIGNON’ – SOLD OUT

The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for the 2006 wine came from the same 21-acre south-facing hill on the east side of Paso Robles. Hand picking in early October at 26 brix was followed by cold maceration for three days in one-ton bins. Fermentation commenced and proceeded for 15 days. The wine then matured in French Oak barrels, 40% new and 60% neutral, where it underwent Malo-Latic fermentation and racking. After 20 months in barrels, it was bottled and released six months later.

This wine evolved into a classic Cabernet with a deep, red color. The nose is redolent of earth and berries with a hint of violets. The taste reveals a solid structure with soft tannins. This allowed the rich Cabernet fruit to come through, giving this wine a velvety texture on the palate. JADE MOON 2006 is drinking beautifully now and will last well into the next decade. This Cabernet Sauvignon also sold out even though the amount of wine made was increased. The JADE MOON label bottled 63 cases and 210 WILD HOGGE cases were bottled for Bermuda. Both JADE MOON and WILD HOGGE Cabernet Sauvignon entered a wine competition and both won a Silver Award.

2007 JADE MOON ‘CABERNET SAUVIGNON’
Available Now

The grapes for this JADE MOON Cabernet Sauvignon came from the same neighboring vineyards on the east side of Paso Robles, CA. These Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were hand picked in October with brix levels of 25. After undergoing the same wine making practices and maturing in the French oak barrels for 29 months, it was bottled in March 2010 and released in the summer six months later.

The 2007 JADE MOON Cabernet Sauvignon has not yet been entered into any competitions but we expect it will do as well as the previous award-winning releases. This Cabernet Sauvignon brings the earthy quality of the 2005 with the dark berry quality of the 2006 to create a well-balanced rounded finish. With an increased amount of wine made, 190 cases were bottled under JADE MOON and 182 cases were produced under the WILD HOGGE label.

2008 JADE MOON ‘ODYSSEY’
Available Now

Due to the growing demand for JADE MOON wines, Huw and Dale decided to add to their varietals, as they have done in Bermuda for the WILD HOGGE label. After falling in love with a neighbor’s Primitivo, a new blend was created for the JADE MOON label only. Primitivo (75%), a cousin of Zinfandel, is a grape that originated in Croatia and came to California via Italy. Two other varietals, Syrah and Cabernet Franc, were equally added to create this unique blend. All three grapes are grown on our neighbor’s vineyard and were hand picked at peak ripeness. The Primitivo gives this wine a solid fruit-forward foundation. The Cab Franc adds a subtle spiciness and the Syrah brings together all the flavors into a smooth, rich wine with an opulent nose. Bottled for the JADE MOON label only, 88 cases were produced.

2008 JADE MOON ‘CABERNET SAUVIGNON’
To be released January 2012

To order JADE MOON wine
Contact: Huw and Dale Morris

Email: dale@jademoonwine.com

or call 805.226.0214

Wine can be delivered locally for free or shipped using Safe Haven Wine Services www.safehavenwineservices.com for delivery within a week.

JADE MOON wines are for sale in the United States and WILD HOGGE wines are sold in Bermuda. Visit www.wildhogge.com for further information. More Cabernet Sauvignon, Primitivo, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are also being produced.

Copyright© Jade Moon Wine 2011
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