90 Points - Connoisseurs Guide to California Wine
The husband and wife winemaking team of Michael and Anne Dashe founded Dashe cellars in 1996. With experience around the wine world, including at such estates as Lafite-Rothschild, Ridge, and Cloudy Bay (among others), they decided for their own label to focus on Sonoma County Zinfandel. They believe (correctly, in our view) that Sonoma Zinfandel has a rightful place alongside the great wines of the world, and they prove it with each vintage. With a focus on low intervention winemaking and wines that are refined and balanced, they are way ahead of the trend toward lighter wines, especially in the world of Zinfandel where 16% alcohol fruit-bombs led the way in the early 2000s. Make no mistake, this still has all the fruit and richness you would expect from California, but by picking a little earlier Dashe is able to preserve freshness and the result is impeccable balanced wines.
The 2013 Dashe "Florence Vineyard" Zinfandel, offers aromas of beautiful red fruit notes of raspberry and black cherry, blending with more floral notes of lavender and violets. Wild cherry and red raspberry fruit, almost cranberry-like in vibrancy. The bright fruit flavors are followed by spice notes of thyme, rosemary, mineral, and white pepper. Finishes with persistent raspberry and cranberry fruit flavors.
PRODUCTION
Hand-sorted grapes and ferment on their native yeasts, they do not fine or manipulate the wine before bottling. The result is an intense and complex wine that feels velvety and round on the tongue, rather than harsh or tannic. In 2013, the grapes were harvested relatively early, and the bright fruit flavors were enhanced by a moderate alcohol level of 13.5%.
The wine was aged for 14 months in neutral French oak barrels, and only 302 cases were bottled. This is an ideal wine to have with tomato-based sauces, grilled meats such as lamb, or any other food that can stand up to its substantial fruit.
Vintage: 2013
Varietal: 98% Zinfandel; 2% Petite Sirah
Vineyard: Florence Vineyard
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley
Cooperage: Barrel Aged over 14 months French Oak
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 302 cases
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.
Inky, plush, and cellar-worthy
The nose is an aromatic riot—a decadent mashup of blackberry, black cherry, and plum swirled with whimsical notes of red licorice, vanilla, and cocoa. A savory dust of spice, cedar, and a gentle kiss of oak adds a sophisticated edge to this fruit-forward powerhouse.
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.
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
96 Point Vintage
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven 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.
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.
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
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.
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