Winery Notes:
"Our 2006 Viognier comes from a western facing sloping hillside in the Rincon Valley. There is as stunning view of the Petaluma gap from the this vineyard. It also means that the fog you can see in the distance is brewing its way towards the vineyard every night cooling it down, and allowing the Viognier to maintain acidity and still ripen.The finished wine is forward, lush, ripe opulent expression of Viognier. I picked the fruit fairly ripe but I wanted to retain the natural acidity so it was fermented without secondary malolactic fermentation in neutral barrels. No new oak for this wine as I did not want the crisp vibrant fruit served on a bed of toothpicks. The aromatics are pure Viognier peach, jasmine with some mandarin orange and lemon citrus. The mouth follows through with the same full, ripe stone fruit, yet balanced with the vibrant citrus component. The palate weight is ample, but not oily so the wine should be an excellent match with Asian fusion and with savory seafood preparations, but actually works with cheeses as well."
2005 Renard Sonoma Syrah
According to Wine & Spirits Magazine: ""Extreme in its youthful, blood-black intensity, this thick syrah needs bottle age to mellow. It has a feral edge to its tannin that would suit grilled boar sausages.""
2005 Renard ""Kick Ranch-The Advocate"" Sonoma County Syrah
91 points from Robert Parker: ""The outstanding 2005 Syrah Kick Ranch offers up scents of road tar, creme de cassis, ground pepper, and loamy earth. Deep ruby/purple, chewy, and rich, it is a stunning effort from the cool 2005 vintage."" (Aug. 2007)