91 Points, Gold Medal - Beverage Testing Institute
Walter Schug certainly knows his way around a Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard. This experience and knowledge shows in his own Sonoma Valley Cabernet, which displays remarkable purity, balance, and complexity. Sourced from top growers in the relatively warm Sonoma Valley, this Cabernet is similar in style to the classic Cabernets of Napa Valley, at a price seldom seen in Napa.
As we develop deeper relationships with high quality producers on California who are turning out great wines at great prices, certain wineries jump out as consistently delivering incredible value across a range of wines. One of these is certainly Schug Estate, where Walter Schug and Michael Cox continue to turn out stellar wines across a range of prices. We have offered multiple vintages of their reserve wines, which are deep, complex wines (at a correspondingly higher price). Today instead we are offering Schug's Sonoma Valley Cabernet, which is sourced from top growers in the relatively warm Sonoma Valley area, this Cabernet is similar in style to the classic Cabernets of Napa Valley, at a price seldom seen in Napa.
The 2010 Schug "Sonoma Valley" Cabernet Sauvignon has a ripe mouthful of currant and cherry flavors is framed by fine tannins and a touch of spicy oak. It has a classic bouquet bursting with berries, cassis and spice. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah are blended in to add charm and grace, further enhancing the bright berry flavors and lively acidity. Try this wine with hearty stews, wild mushrooms and grilled meats. Though ready to enjoy now, this wine will develop gracefully with 5 to 7 years of additional cellaring.
BLEND: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon; 14% Merlot; 2% Cabernet Franc; 2% Syrah
APPELLATION: Sonoma Valley
HARVEST DATES: September 30th through October 28th, 2010
SUGAR AT HARVEST: 24.4 degrees Brix average
FERMENTATION: 12 days in stainless steel tanks, punched down up to 4x daily
AGING COOPERAGE: Aged 24 months in 20% new French oak barrels
ALCOHOL: 14.0% by volume
ACIDITY: TA = 0.69 g/100ml; pH = 3.39
PRODUCTION: 2,925 cases (12 x 750ml)
RELEASE DATE: April 1st, 2013
WINERY RETAIL: $32 per 750ml bottle
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.
91 Points
Shimmering ruby-purple hue. The nose is a walk through a damp Sonoma forest—mossy bark and wild earth—brightened by high-toned notes of cranberry sauce and blood orange. On the palate, it's generously long in the mouth, with good concentration. It's a masterclass in tension: intense, cherry and red current fruit meets dark spice and fine, sandy tannins.
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.
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