Gold Medal & Best of Class - Pacific Rim Wine Competition
Regular WineHeist customers are no doubt familiar with Schug Estate, founded in Carneros by Walter Schug over 30 years ago. While Carneros is probably best known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, in the early days of this region, much of it was planted to Bordeaux varieties like Cabernet and Merlot. As the winemaker for Joseph Phelps in the 1970s, Walter Schug clearly knows his way around the grapes of Bordeaux, and he has kept the tradition of these grapes in Carneros alive at Schug. Since Carneros is cooler than Napa, the resulting Bordeaux style wines tend to be lighter bodied and more elegant, which perfectly suits the winemaking at Schug.
The 2007 Schug Sonoma Valley Merlot is actually a Bordeaux-style blend, with 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc added into the blend to add depth and richness. This Merlot is light ruby in color, with a hint of garnet. The nose shows cherry, plum, and blackberry aromas, accompanied by a hint of briar and spice. The palate is tight and focused, with red and black fruit joined by a spicy, almost earthy side. Plenty of acidity carries through on the finish, where a subtle chocolate flavor is framed by a hint of new oak. The generous acidity makes this an ideal food wine, perfect for grilled lamb or milder sausage. At under $20 a bottle this is the perfect red wine to stock up on, as it will pair well with a range of foods and has the elegance to drink well during the warmer months, while it has enough stuffing to serve in the winter as well.
Appellation: Sonoma Valley
Harvest Dates: September 7th through October 29th, 2007
Sugar at Harvest: 24.6 degrees Brix average
Fermentation: 12 days in stainless steel tanks, pumped over three times daily
Aging Cooperage: Aged 24 months in 20% new oak barrels: French, Hungarian, and American
Alcohol: 14.0% by volume
Acidity: 0.63 g/100ml; pH = 3.45
Release Date: November 1st, 2010
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.
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.
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.
92 Points
Deep floral notes (violets), blackberry, black cherry, and cassis. Driven by the mountain's steep, cool-climate terroir, it balances rich notes of blackberry and pomegranate seamlessly intertwined with dark plum, cocoa dust, and roasted mocha, hints of roasted mocha and spice undertones add depth to its complex profile, culminating in a bold, yet elegant finish.
93 Points
A beautiful garnet color in the glass. Aromas of pomegranate, vibrant cranberry, candied strawberry, gravel, and rose perfume lead to a palate of cinnamon, clove, tea leaf, bing cherry, a touch of earth, and an opulent, fleshy texture.
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
Aromas of candied apple, lemon peel, and toasted marcona almond. The palate is rich yet finely balanced, offering a creamy texture lifted by bright acidity. Delicate and composed, it finishes with a gentle mineral snap and lingering citrus.
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.
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