Gold Medal
- 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Tasting
Reynoso Vineyards was a label that we weren’t familiar with before trying the wine, but we were intrigued by the beautiful label and the fact that the Cabernet Estate grown in the Alexander Valley, probably Sonoma’s best Cabernet area. It turns out that Reynoso is a true family project, with husband and wife team Joe and Elana Reynoso handling the vineyard management and winemaking along with their trusted vineyard crew. But we probably wouldn’t have found all that out except for the fact that we were blown away upon tasting the wine, and had to find out more about it.
The 2009 Reynoso Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet in color with a hint of ruby. The nose shows classic Cabernet aromas of tobacco leaf, mint, and black cherry, and the palate is loaded with black berry, cherry and exotic spice that go on and on in layers on the finish. Beautifully balanced with an incredible combination of richness and elegance, this would be a beautiful Cabernet for $50+. At this price, this is one to stock up on and enjoy now and over the next 5-10 years.
VARIETAL: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
VINEYARDS: Estate - Hillside Fruit
APPELLATION: Alexander Valley
ALCOHOL: 14.0% by volume
PRODUCTION: 24 Barrels
94 Points
Decadent, rich, and supple. Aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate, crushed stone, dried herbs, and cedar lead into layered notes of cassis, fennel, baked plums, mocha powder, and cigars dusted with roasted Herbs de Provence, earth and red volcanic mineral notes. Full-bodied and rich, with a firm spine of racy acidity and ultra-fine, gravelly tannins that carry the lasting, mouthwatering finish.
93 Points
Aromas of blackcurrant, dark plum, and cedar unfold alongside soft notes of vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, structured tannins frame layers of black cherry, baking spice, and a subtle herbal lift from the Merlot blended beneath the Cabernet's backbone. Medium-bodied gem with good concentration finishing long and warm, with lingering impressions of cocoa and dried fig.
94 Points
A full-throttle, blackberry-driven red, laden with chalky minerality and layered with robust tannins. Violet scents mingle with fig and plum fruit in a medium- to full-bodied expression that hits all the right chords, delivering a pleasing one-two punch to the senses.
