94 Points - Chris Sawyer "Sommelier to the Stars"
This is one of those powerhouse California blockbuster blends that just works. It just begs you to bring some to the party, splash it around, you get the idea. Approachable now or cellar for up to a decade... if you can wait that long. Grab a handful, bring on the meats and enjoy!
Food Pairings: To match the lavish flavors and grip in this brilliant blend, serve this wine with blue cheese aside nuts and dried fruits, charcuterie, risotto with wild mushrooms, juicy burgers, roasted squab, pan-seared duck with blueberry reduction sauce, Korean barbeque, gamey meats, or Osso Buco.
Varietals: 76% Petite Sirah and smaller portions of Zinfandel, Grenache & Syrah
Appellation: Mendocino County
Alcohol: 14.8% by volume
Total acid: 6.59 g/L
pH: 3.65
Aging: 20 months on American oak
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
96 Point Vintage
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
94 Points
Deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of fresh black currants, kirsch, and mulberries... Full-bodied, the palate delivers a firm line of grainy tannins with bold freshness to frame the muscular black fruit, finishing long and cedary.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
