92 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Today’s winery is new to WineHeist, but certainly not new to the Northern California wine scene. Schug Estate was founded in 1980 by Walter Schug, who by then already had 20 years experience making wine, including as the founding winemaker for Joseph Phelps. Clearly this is a man who knows his way around a California Bordeaux blend, so we were delighted to secure an allocation of a Cabernet blend with some bottle age on it. Mr. Schug was raised and trained in Europe, so the wines may be a bit more restrained in style than some of the modern California Cabs, but perhaps because of this they age beautifully, and this 10-year old wine is just now coming into its own, with a long life in front of it.
The 2003 Schug Estate Heritage Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has 15% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc in the blend, resulting in a Cab that drinks more like a Bordeaux. The color is a lovely pale ruby garnet, with a nose of just ripe blackberries, anise, pepper, and cedar. The palate shows black cherry, raspberry, coffee bean, spice and a hint of red apple skin, with silky tannin and good acidity. At 10-years old, this is still vibrant, with juicy, fresh fruit that is beautifully integrated with secondary earthy and woodsy flavors. This medium bodied wine shows that California Cabernet blends don’t need to be massive to make a big impression on the palate, and would pair beautifully with classic French red meat or chicken dishes. Don’t miss this opportunity to snag some beautifully aged California Cabernet to drink over the next 5 years!
Vintage: 2003
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Sonoma
Sugar: 24.4 Brix
Acid: 0.75
Fermentation: Up to 12 days in stainless steel rotary fermenter
Alcohol%: 14.5
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
