95 Points - S.F. International Wine Competition
92 Points - Affairs of the Vine Cabernet Shootout
Gold Medal - Orange County Wine Competition
Rancho Salina is a beautiful vineyard situated 800 feet about the Sonoma Valley on the western facing slope of the Mayacamas Mountains, where afternoon sun ripens the Bordeaux varieties planted in rocky soils. Muscardini sources both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Rancho Salina, and blends them in about equal portions, like many of the great Right Bank Bordeaux wines. The result is a fresh yet powerful wine perfect for ageing.
The 2013 Muscardini Rancho Salina is deep ruby in color, with classic Bordeaus aromas of kirsch, licorice, cherry, vanilla, flowers, and baking spice. Flavors of cherry, tobacco, pepper, and plum explode on the palate, with bright acid and oak flavors giving plenty of structure. Built for the cellar, this gold medal winner is drinking well now, and will improve with two to five years in the cellar, and should drink nicely for at least eight years.
Fabulous pairings include aged gouda and hard cheeses, risotto with wild mushrooms, red meats, pork tenderloin and roasted duck.
Appellation: Sonoma County
Vineyard: Rancho Salina Vineyard
Harvested: October 5, 2013
Winemaker: Michael Muscardini
Blend: 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot
Alcohol: 14.9
Bottled: February 9, 2015
Cases Produced: 482
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.
94 Points
Juice explodes right out of the glass with its dark purple in color and bursting aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry and wild cherry interlaced with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. The palate is ripe and juicy with flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of toasty oak.
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