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
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 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.
97 Points
Aromas of blackberries, graphite, and crushed rock, along with cedar, tobacco leaf, cassis, and a medley of dry herbs and spice.
A substantial mouthfeel, full-bodied structure, firm tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit. Well-balanced acidity collaborate harmoniously to accentuate the intricate flavors of berry compote, spices, and oak nuances reminiscent of mocha.
95 Points
This stellar Napa Valley Red Blend marries lush plum and cherry with Malbec's dark berry depth and Petit Verdot's structure and spice. Layered with notes of blackberry, violet, and cocoa, this silky wine finishes with smooth tannins and a whisper of toasted oak. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
97 Points
Lush and fleshy, with cassis, boysenberry, and blackberry notes guided by hints of alder and mesquite. Stays open but defined through the finish, with a buried hint of sweet tobacco. A rich, layered beast, this has a nose rife with currants, blackberries, vanilla, and light toast with flavors of mocha, plum, and Bing cherry that mingle harmoniously on the tongue.
96 Points
Bold and luxurious with inviting aromas of blackberry, black cherry, tobacco, notes of cedar 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.
98 Points
Deep purple hue and an alluring aromatic profile of fresh blue fruits and delicate violets. On the palate, it delivers a seamless and layered texture, framed by supple, polished tannins and a refined sense of balance. Elegantly structured, it offers remarkable purity and finesse, finishing with graceful length and poise.
95 Points
Aromas of wild berries, black fig and ripe dark fruits are intertwined with hints of fresh mountain herbs, mineral, leather, savory spices, and cigar box. On the palate, the rich fruit flavors of dark cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, red currants and cassis are layered with notes of wild sage, dark chocolate truffle, cinnamon, clove, and a kiss of oak.
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.
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