94 Points, Gold Medal - California State Fair, 2012
Gold Medal - San Francisco Wine Competition, 2013
Gold Medal - Sonoma County Harvest Fair, 2012
Gold Medal - Orange County Wine Competition, 2012
Gold Medal - 7th Cabernet Shootout
Voted Best Micro Winery! - California State Fair, 2009
This week’s WineHeist offering features our old friend Muscardini Cellars, with one of their most recently released wines. As many of you know, in California a wine that is composed of at least 75% of one variety can be labeled under that varietal name (so a wine that is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot be labeled as simple “Cabernet Sauvignon,” whereas one that is 74%/26% cannot). For this reason, we always find it intriguing when a wine comes close to that 75% without actually crossing it, because you know that the winemaker must really believe in this particular blend to give up the chance to label the wine varietally. Such is the case with the 2010 Rancho Salina from Muscardini, which is 70% Cab and 30% Merlot, all from the Rancho Salina Vineyard on the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas. And tasting the wine, it is easy to see why Michael Muscardini chose to go this route; the wine is simply stunning.
The 2010 Muscardini Rancho Salina is deep purple in color, with a nose bursting with purple fruit: plums, blackberries, and boysenberries, all accompanied by a subtle potpourri character. The palate is a bit more red-fruit driven with cherry and berry flavors accompanied by vanilla and more fresh plum. The 2010 vintage was challenging in many vineyards, but clearly the 800-foot high west facing slopes of Rancho Salina had no problems ripening these thicker skinned varieties; if anything the cooler vintage may have helped retain freshness. Despite it’s considerable weight on the palate this wine remains impeccably balanced, with wonderful purity to the fruit. This is a wonderful example of a Sonoma Valley Bordeaux style blend.
Appellation: Sonoma County
Vineyard: Rancho Salina Vineyard
Winemaker: Michael Muscardini
Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot
pH: 3.54
Alcohol: 14.7
Bottled: February 9, 2012
Cases Produced: 470
95 Points
Lofty aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and plum mingle with hints of baking spices and a touch of violet. The palate reveals luscious flavors of ripe berries, complemented by notes of black pepper and a subtle earthiness. With well-integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.
Exceptional!
Reddish-purple in color with aromas of blackberry, plum, pomegranate, herbs de Provence, and licorice. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry, cassis, and licorice that carries through, with notes of black pepper, mocha and chocolate. Very long, spicy, with a fruit-driven finish. Great aging potential.
92 Points
Inviting aromas of ripe cherry, strawberry, and pomegranate. The palate unfolds with layered flavors of black cherry, raspberry cordial, vanilla bean and spice, where focused tannins envelop, leading to a rich red fruit finish with blue fruit undertones.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
97 Points
Rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of baking spices, licorice, coffee, and chocolate that interlace seamlessly with complexity, creating a wine that is both structured and delightfully supple, achieving an ideal balance of tension and grace. Artfully composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 17% Cabernet Franc, resulting in harmonious depth and freshness.
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.
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
94 Points
Rich and generous, with a deep purple hue. Aromas of crushed violets, ripe berries, blueberry pop-tarts, black currant, licorice, chocolate-coated espresso beans, allspice, and cedar box. Full-bodied with a plush, velvety texture.
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.
94 Points
A classic expression of coastal influenced Chardonnay with aromas of honey, apple chutney, lime blossom, and gentle Indian spice box undertones. A big juicy entry on the palate, showing a silky texture with excellent tension and structure, ending with a complex, layered finish.
94 Points
Juice explodes right out of the glass with its dark purple in color and bursting aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry and wild cherry interlaced with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. The palate is ripe and juicy with flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of toasty oak.
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