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
Aromas of wild berries, black fig and ripe dark fruits are intertwined with hints of fresh mountain herbs, mineral, leather, savory spices, and cigar box. On the palate, the rich fruit flavors of dark cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, red currants and cassis are layered with notes of wild sage, dark chocolate truffle, cinnamon, clove, and a kiss of oak.
94 Points
Opens with an aromatic burst of black cherry jam, wild huckleberry, and a hint of crushed espresso bean. On the palate, the fruit is lush and primary, but it's the secondary notes—toasted nutmeg, dark chocolate truffle, and the signature 'Dry Creek Dust'—that provide a long, savory finish.
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