Steven Kent winery launches Bordeaux-style vintage wine

California-based Steven Kent Winery has launched Lineage, as part of the winery's project to produce a 'Bordeaux-style' red that ranks among the New World's greatest, most collectable wines.

According to the company, only one hundred eighteen cases of wine were produced of the initial 2007 Lineage vintage, that was made from the fruit drawn from the Ghielmetti Vineyard.

Steven Kent Winery owner sixth-generation member Steven Kent Mirassou said the company's goal is to create a single, 'statement' wine from the Livermore Valley, one intended to take its place among the world's great reds.

The Ghielmetti Vineyard occupies 64 terraced acres in the foothill of the historic Livermore Valley appellation. The Ghielmetti family chose this spot, working from Day One to establish LV's "first growth" estate for Bordeaux varieties, the company said.

The vineyard is planted over the course of two years in 2001-2002 by Napa consultants Jim Regusci and Cary Gott, the vineyard is home to all five Bordeaux red grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.

Lineage is blended from just five exceptional barrels from Ghielmetti's best 'Bordeaux' blocks. The debut 2007 Lineage is comprised of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon (clones 30, 191, and 4), 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, and 2% Merlot. It was bottled in January 2010.

The newly launched 2007 Lineage is expected to be priced at $125 for bottle. Of the 100-case production, half has been reserved for future subscribers direct from the winery.

A limited number of three-bottle packs have been set aside for wholesale customers, destined primarily for restaurants.