Van Asperen This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. VAN ASPEREN, Family of Fine Wines

   www.vwm-online.com//Magazine/A - [Cached]

   Published on: 9/1/1998   Last Visited: 3/26/2004

   Van Asperen Winery, Napa, California
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   The previous line, which included Round Hill, Round Hill Reserve and Rutherford Ranch wines, was repositioned, forming three tiers, beginning with Round Hill California wines, then Rutherford Ranch and finally, at the top, Van Asperen.
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   VAN ASPEREN
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   If the name Van Asperen, without Round Hill, is unfamiliar, there is good reason. A couple of years ago, Van Asperen CEO, Mike Hardy, came to owners Ernie and Virginia Van Asperen, with a growing problem.
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   Fantasy names were growing in popularity then for new wine brands, but the Van Asperens and Hardy were against names that meant nothing and had little or no connection to wine, especially the wines of Van Asperen.
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   The logical choice was to use Van Asperen, a name that had recognition in Napa Valley and across the country in the wine trade. In September of 1997, the Van Asperen line of varietals was launched.
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   The previous line, which included Round Hill, Round Hill Reserve and Rutherford Ranch wines, was repositioned, forming three tiers, beginning with Round Hill California wines, then Rutherford Ranch and finally, at the top, Van Asperen.
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   Wine customers soon learned that Ernie's meant selection and value, especially in the line of Ernie's wines, which Van Asperen selected for his own label from Souverain-Rutherford (now Rutherford Hill Winery) and the Oakville Winery.
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   Before long, Van Asperen had developed an entrepreneurial itch.
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   Hardy, who was the chief operating officer at Klein Family Vineyards in Sonoma County, before coming to Round Hill, says that the main goal with Van Asperen is to grow the brand.
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   "We'd like to get Van Asperen up to that level and will likely hold the line at five wines."The Rutherford Ranch is producing 36,000 cases and the Round Hill brand is producing 340,000 cases and growing.
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   "Those grapes that are not quite good enough for Van Asperen, go into the Rutherford Ranch wines.
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   Van Asperen 1997 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, $10. Light aromatics, floral and citrus notes; clean, crisp acidity, medium fruit, mineral notes with citrus peel backnotes, good length. Still a little tight, the fruity Sauvignon Blanc will benefit from a few months in the bottle.
   
   Van Asperen 1996 Napa Valley Chardonnay, $11. A product of three vineyards that was aged 10 months in Fgrench oak barrels. Lovely apple and pear aromas; smooth, silky texture, good oak and fruit balance, crisp acidity and a long fruity finish.
   
   Van Asperen 1995 Napa Valley Zinfandel, $10.
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   Van Asperen 1995 Napa Valley Merlot, $15. A blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and a dab of cabernet franc, aged 14 months in French and American oak barrels, sourced from six vineyards, including one on Atlas Peak. Bright berry aromas, subtle herbal accent; good balance and length of flavor, layered fruit, little jammy and plummy; long fruity finish.
   
   Van Asperen 1994 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, $15.
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   Van Asperen 1992 Napa Valley Signature Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, $24.