91 Points - Wine & Spirits Magazine
Regular WineHeist fans are no doubt familiar with Schug Estate, founded in Carneros by Walter Schug over 30 years ago. While Carneros is probably best known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, in the early days of this region, much of it was planted to Bordeaux varieties like Cabernet and Merlot. As the winemaker for Joseph Phelps in the 1970s, Walter Schug clearly knew his way around the grapes of Bordeaux. Since Carneros is cooler than Napa, the resulting Bordeaux style wines tend to be lighter bodied and more elegant, which perfectly suits the winemaking at Schug.
This classically structured Merlot is crafted in the Bordeaux style that Walter Schug pioneered in California while winemaster of Joseph Phelps Vineyards (1973 to 1983). This Merlot was grown on the Sangiacomo Vineyard in the Carneros district of southern Sonoma Valley. Judicious amounts of Cabernet, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cab Franc were added from renowned Pickberry, Magnolia and Rancho Salina Vineyards which added richness and depth to this outstanding blend.
The 2013 Schug Sonoma Valley Merlot is deep in color with a hint of garnet. The nose shows cherry, plum, and blackberry aromas, accompanied by a hint of briar and spice. The palate is focused, with red and black fruit. Plenty of acidity carries through on the finish, where a subtle chocolate flavor is framed by a touch of new oak. Ideal food wine, perfect for grilled lamb or milder sausage. At under $25 a bottle, this is the perfect red wine to stock up on, as it will pair with a range of foods and has the elegance to drink well during the warmer months.
Appellation: Sonoma Valley
Blend: 79% Merlot; 10% Petit Verdot; 7% Malbec; 3% Cabernet Sauvignon; 1% Cabernet Franc
Vineyards: 73% Sangiacomo El Novillero; 17% Pickberry; 8% Rancho Salina; 2% Magnolia Farms
Harvest Dates: September 5th through October 10th, 2013
Sugar at Harvest: 24.4 degrees Brix average
Fermentation: 12 days in stainless steel tanks, punched down 2-4 times daily
Aging Cooperage: Aged 24 months in 20% new oak barrels: Hungarian and American oak barrels
Alcohol: 13.8% by volume
Acidity: 0.68 g/100ml; pH = 3.30
Release Date: January 1st, 2017
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.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
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.
93 Points
Deep red hue and hints of violet teasing the senses with seductive aromas of dark fruits, wild berries, cocoa, baking spices, leather, and cigar box. Filled with saturated flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry, cassis, cherry cola, ripe plum, chopped mint leaves, while the palate unfolds with rich tannin, juicy acidity, and flavors of cherry gastrique, berry coulis, herb mélange, and licorice.
98 Points
Deep purple hue and an alluring aromatic profile of fresh blue fruits and delicate violets. On the palate, it delivers a seamless and layered texture, framed by supple, polished tannins and a refined sense of balance. Elegantly structured, it offers remarkable purity and finesse, finishing with graceful length and poise.
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.
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.
94 Points
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
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.
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