Schug Carneros Estate
2010 "Sonoma Valley" Cabernet Sauvignon
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
PDFIt’s a little hard to believe with all the rain we’ve been having in Northern California, but summer is just around the corner, and it’s definitely time to start thinking about white wines for the warmer weather. There is no shortage of light, refreshing, high acid white wines out there to choose from when you are just looking for a warm-weather quaffer, but when you want something with a little more depth and complexity, things get a bit more challenging. Especially if you are not a fan of Chardonnay, or just need a change of pace, it can be challenging to find a dry white with a little more depth. Luckily, we were able to secure an allocation of the 2008 Spring Mountain Estate Sauvignon Blanc, which beautifully expresses a Bordeaux-style white wine, with the attending richness and complexity, and also delivers plenty of fresh California fruit.
The 2008 Spring Mountain Estate Sauvignon Blanc is medium straw in color, with classic Sauvignon Blanc aromas of lime, apple, and fresh cut grass. The lively, spicy palate shows lemon peel, green apple, key lime, and even a hint of cucumber. Fermented in neutral French oak, and with 13% Semillon in the final blend, this wine has plenty of body and structure, yet bracing acidity keeps it light and refreshing. With all of the spicy, herbal elements in this wine it’s a natural match for salad, where the acidity cuts through the olive oil beautifully. Try it with fennel for an intriguing match, or pair with simply prepared fish with fresh herbs. This versatile wine is one you will want to be drinking all summer, and with WineHeist pricing, you can!
About The Winery...
Founded in 1980, Schug Carneros Estate Winery is the showcase and life-long dream of one of California's most celebrated winemakers. Walter Schug's reputation blossomed during his tenure as Founding Winemaker for Joseph Phelps Vineyards in the 1970s, where he made California’s first proprietary Bordeaux-Style blend (Insignia) and legendary vineyard designated Cabernets (Backus and Eisele Vineyards).
Drawing on his long experience in the production of fine wines in both Europe and California, Walter set up his own winery with his wife Gertrud in the cool, marine climate of the Carneros Appellation. Here he could focus on the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals that had always been close to his heart.
Learn more at www.schugwinery.com.
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Exceptional, Highly Rated, 90+ points.
Hard to find and great value.
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