91 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Gold Medal - SF International Wine Competition
The Schug Estate vineyard, planted in 1989, sits at the base of a high ridge at the windy Western edge of the Carneros AVA in Sonoma County. This bottling highlights several clones of Chardonnay grown on individual blocks. The Wente clone grown on Northeast-facing Blocks 3 and 5 has a smaller berry which gives the wine a rich texture when young, and in time develops an oily, succulent mouthfeel. An addition of "Musqué" clone Chardonnay grown on our rocky Southeast-facing Block 7 gives the wine a rich aroma and flavor of ripe citrus. Each block is harvested, fermented and aged separately. The final blend offers intense fruit aromas of ripe pear and orange liqueur, complemented by a layer of toasty oak. Bright apple and citrus flavors give way to a full-bodied texture and a long finish. Try with shellfish, cream soups, chicken, veal, or rich pasta dishes. It will gain complexity with additional cellaring for several years after release.
BLEND: (clones): 100% Schug Estate: 52% Block 5 (G9V5 Wente);18% Block 7 (41 & 77 Musqué clones); 17% Block 2 (clone C); 7% Block 3 (F1V3 Wente); 6% Block 1 (clone 17)
APPELLATION: Carneros
HARVEST DATES: September 4th through September 12th, 2014
SUGAR AT HARVEST: 24.4 degrees Brix average
FERMENTATION: 100% barrel fermented and aged “sur lie” for 7 months.
20% of the barrels underwent malo-lactic fermentation.
AGING COOPERAGE: 22% in new French oak, 78% in 2nd & 3rd fill barrels
ALCOHOL: 14.1% by volume
ACIDITY: TA = 0.62 g/100ml; pH = 3.52
PRODUCTION: 286 cases (12 x 750ml)
RELEASE DATE: January 1st, 2016
WINERY RETAIL: $45 per 750ml bottle
95 Points
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.
93 Points
Aromas of blackcurrant, dark plum, and cedar unfold alongside soft notes of vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, structured tannins frame layers of black cherry, baking spice, and a subtle herbal lift from the Merlot blended beneath the Cabernet's backbone. Medium-bodied gem with good concentration finishing long and warm, with lingering impressions of cocoa and dried fig.
94 Points
Decadent, rich, and supple. Aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate, crushed stone, dried herbs, and cedar lead into layered notes of cassis, fennel, baked plums, mocha powder, and cigars dusted with roasted Herbs de Provence, earth and red volcanic mineral notes. Full-bodied and rich, with a firm spine of racy acidity and ultra-fine, gravelly tannins that carry the lasting, mouthwatering finish.
94 Point Vintage
Deep garnet core with an elegant ruby-brick rim—a striking sign of its library maturity. Aromas of black cherry, cassis, and macerated blackberry, seamlessly transitioning into sophisticated layers of cedar, graphite, crushed violet, and cured tobacco. A savory accent of bay laurel, cocoa nib, and warm earth adds impressive intrigue. The palate delivers dense dark fruit framed by velvety, melted tannins and vibrant acidity that keeps the wine lifted and fresh. Finishes long and seamlessly, lingering with espresso, black plum, aged leather, and a fine crushed-stone minerality.
Exceptional
In the glass this wine open with aromas of ripe black cherry, bark, cedar, dried orange peel, a touch of black pepper. The palate equally rich with flavors expanding into notes of fresh picked cherry, chocolate, and crushed stone and a touch of white pepper. Together, these lavish flavors, coupled with an elegant mouthfeel and a long engaging finish make a fantastic wine.
96 Points
Aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry liqueur, and purple flowers drive the nose of this energetic Syrah which is co-fermented with a whisper of Viognier. Gracing the palate are dark berries, plum, blackberries, peppercorns, hints of sweet tobacco, and well-positioned oak spice with plush acid and rich tannin peaking through the finish.
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