93 Points - Pinot Report
The 2010 vintage marked the 30th Anniversary for Schug Vineyards, a remarkable achievement for a small, family run winery, and a testament to the quality of the wines. We have been fans of Schug wines for a while, as they offer a nice balance between New and Old World styles, with plenty of California fruit but lovely elegance as well. The 2010 Heritage Reserve is in this tradition, with a perfect balance between fruity and savory flavors.
The 2010 Schug Heritage Reserve Carneros Pinot Noir is light to medium ruby in color, with garnet at the rim. Aromas of cherry, briar, boysenberry, potpourri and pine needle stream from the glass, with spice, cherry, vanilla and raspberry joining in on the palate. Direct and focused, this charming wine carries a streak of acidity and some beautiful red fruit through a pleasantly soft finish.
This is drinking beautifully now, and will age gracefully for another 5-10 years.
VINEYARDS: 42% Iund; 32% Sangiacomo; 18% Estate; 3% Brown; 3% Cornerstone; 2% Vineburg
APPELLATION: 100% Carneros
HARVEST DATES: September 14th through October 14th, 2010
SUGAR AT HARVEST: 24.7 degrees Brix average
FERMENTATION: 7 to 12 days in stainless steel punch-down fermenter, with cap submersion at
6 to 24 hour intervals
AGING / COOPERAGE: 48% aged 16 months in new French oak barrels (Allier and Vosges), and
52% aged 16 months in one to two-year old French oak barrels
ALCOHOL: 14.5% by volume
ACIDITY: TA= 0.64 g/100ml; pH = 3.56
PRODUCTION: 726 cases (12 x 750 ml)
12 cases magnums (6 x 1.5L); 12 x 3 Liter bottles
RELEASE DATE: September 1st, 2013
You may also like:
92 Points
Aromas of blackberry, dried fig, black cherry, blackberry coulis, toasted vanilla, and a hint of cigar box. The palate offers rich and velvety tannins, dark chocolate-covered cherries, black plum, mixed berry pie and toasted walnut. Long and expressive with loads of flavor.
New Release
A ferociously fun Napa Valley blend with depth, balance and big flavor. Aromas of red currant, fresh strawberries, black plum, vanilla, and notes of cocoa on the nose. The palate is bursting with fruit ranging from cherries, mixed berry compote, toasted hazelnut and more. This wine has great texture that ultimately finishes with round, silky smooth tannins.
91 Points
Layers of strawberry, baked cherry pie, anise, cherry lollipop, wild game, and spicebox. On the palate, black cherry jam couples with crème de cassis, mixed berry crisp, rhubarb, and a touch of vanilla.
