United States Wine

Winemaker Description

Overall goals and philosophy of wine: Syrah is a beguiling grape with many expressions in the vinous world, from the gamey classics of France to the inkiness of Australia. In the Finger Lakes, it takes a special site to nurture these beautiful vines to full maturity, but in Glacier Ridge we have found just such a vineyard. With intense Vietnamese peppercorn aromatics, bright red cherry flavors, and a brooding minerality underneath, this Syrah is a pure expression of what can be achieved with one of our favorite grapes in a cool climate. Put simply, think northern Rhone rather than Barossa. 

Notable vineyard management details: Glacier Ridge takes a studied minimalist approach in the vineyard; all weed control is manual and allows for some non-grape vegetation for competition as well as insect biodiversity. Crop size are subsequently lower as a result, with a notable difference in increased ripening capability of the grapes. 

Winemaker Description 

Our 2020 Heart / Artist series Red wine is a symphonic red blend that combines the best of five grape varieties. This is made from 48% Merlot, 22% Dornfelder, 11% Refosco, 10% Syrah and 9% Petit Verdot.  You can imagine the wine as a dynamic red blend bolstered by aromatic bursts of exotic red-fruited Refosco, fleshed out by briary dark Dornfelder berries, with added verve, freshness and geometry provided by the Petit Verdot and Syrah all balanced together by plump, satisfying, enveloping ripe Merlot.

This is a complex and unique red wine full of deliciousness and life. The texture is plump and beguiling with cleansing acidity, moderate alcohol and a long finish. The aromas and flavors are ripe, deep, savory, pleasure-filled and range in fruit character from red to blue to black fruit and berries. The texture is silken, giving and it can be hard to put the glass down. There is a generosity coupled with raciness in this dry red wine that is quite satisfying and keeps one coming back for more. 

Winemaker Description 

Curious, adventurous and outgoing, Sagittarius enjoy meeting new people, telling stories, and connecting deeply with those around them. Playful and brave, this Fire sign enjoys trying new things and bringing light and humor to the mundane. Cabernet Franc is bold and refreshing with an aroma of eucalyptus that matches a Sagittarius’ honest and inquisitive personality. This wine is smoky and earthy with accents of cherry, raspberry and black pepper. Like the long finish of the Cabernet Franc, Sagittarians leave a lasting impact. As a mutable sign, they love to travel and see new sights, like this grape, which grows across the globe.

Winemaker Description

This wine is generous and complex with aromas of cherry cola, cassis and chocolate. Some savory notes and hints of citrus zest and mint. This wine is intensely aromatic and develops in the glass as layers are revealed. This full-bodied wine is powerful yet exhibits grace and finesse. A rich and dense mid-palate evolves into a muscular and graceful finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Tasting Panel 100 Points | Awe-inspiring, with dramatically structured tannins, this wine possesses an opulence matched by its seductive texture of soft suede as well as its grip. Blueberry and pomegranate are intense and showy on the finish.

Vinous 95+ Points | The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Tomahawk Vineyard emerges from the youngest block on the vineyard, planted nearly twenty years ago. Readers will find a pure, voluptuous wine that is immediately engaging. Succulent dark cherry, plum, espresso, licorice, incense and new leather fill out the layers effortlessly. I imagine the Tomahawk will require only modest cellaring.

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Tomahawk Vineyard is slightly brighter and more perfumed than the Ganymede, offering a brilliant array of crème de cassis and black raspberries as well as spicy oak, graphite, and spring flower notes. It has classic Stags Leap vibrancy and complexity, is medium to full-bodied, and has plenty of polished tannins as well as a great finish. It deserves 4-6 years in the cellar, and I suspect this will be very long-lived. It's a gorgeous wine that shows the style of the vintage to a T.

Decanter Magazine 94 Points | From a small group of vines at the southern edge of the Stags Leap District estate property called Tomahawk Vineyard. A very pretty and elegant wine with fantastic blackberry fruit nuanced by white pepper, sage, and iron-volcanic minerality. Medium to full-bodied with juicy mixed berry fruits, very fine tannins that have a granularity, which builds with intensity before getting wiped clean away by rather scintillating acidity that has a crisp, citrusy quality. Long, lean, and focused, with hints of bay laurel on the finish. A really lovely effort.

James Suckling 94 Points | Notes of ripe blackcurrants, blackberries, pinewood, grilled herbs and spices. Full-bodied, dense and structured with very fine, velvety tannins.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Juicy, solid and focused in feel, with a core of black currant and blackberry preserves backed by licorice and singed apple wood notes, plus a hint of sweet tobacco through the finish. Drink now through 2040. 1,289 cases made.

Winemaker Description

Clean and bright aromas with notes of Empire apple and Asian pear. Flavors of mandarin orange, pear, honeydew melon and cantaloupe are enhanced with a pleasant acidity that lingers on the finish.

Winemaker Description

My first harvest job was picking grapes and running trucks full of grape bins to wineries throughout Oregon.  It was a crash course in "the wine life".  Alberto was the first guy to show me how to identify grapes on the vine, the first guy to show me how to pick grapes (I did, ok), the first guy to show me how to strap down bins, and how to not ride the brakes. This wine is named after him.

An aromatic co-fermentation of Tempranillo, Syrah, Grenache, and Alvarinho, all from the northern edge of the Willamette Valley.  This wine was native fermented in old French oak. It is unfiltered and unfined (vegan).  

 

Expert Rating

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | Quite inky in the glass, this bottling is loaded with thick, dark-fruit aromas of black plum, cassis and violet, as hints of cocoa arise slowly. It lands with a force on the palate, providing lively while powerful and offering fresh fruit and flower flavors as well as a dried meat and tarry earth backbone. 

Winemaker Description

Camins 2 Dreams is a winery designed by two women with a creative desire to produce natural wines, utilizing the best sustainably and organically farmed grape cultivars available. Business and life partners Tara Goméz

Winemaker Description

Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Sauvignon Blanc is a stunningly crafted white wine, sourced from vineyards throughout the Columbia Valley, including their Horse Heaven Estate Vineyard. Crisp, vibrant and delicate in flavor, this Sauvignon Blanc white wine brims with the cool freshness of citrus and herbs that pair particularly well with light seafood and vegetable dishes. 

Winemaker Description 

Our ‘108’ Chardonnay comes from the own rooted and old vines at Wirtz Vineyard. Chardonnay styles are as divisive as politics these days.  The Oregon wine machine is back promoting the advantages of Oregon Chardonnay once again.

This is good news.  After many starts and stops with this grape over the years, Oregon Chardonnay is positioned to be a grape that gains national respect. 

Winemaker Description

A Bordeaux-style blend, this wine offers aromas of black cherry, plum, and cedar. The palate is full-bodied, with layers of dark fruit, tobacco, and dark chocolate. Supple tannins and well-integrated oak contribute to a long, smooth finish. Pair it with grilled steak, lamb chops, or hearty stews for a memorable dining experience. 

Winemaker Description

The Lenore Syrah is aromatic with rich, sweet berry notes of blueberry, boysenberry, red currant and plum. The mouthwatering acidity is nicely balanced with firm tannins and layers of bright bramble fruit. As this wine coats the palate, underlying hints of vanilla bean, peppercorn and sweet tobacco shine through. A robust finish includes chocolate and raspberry.

Enjoy the Lenore Syrah with barbecued ribs, a hearty lamb stew or your favorite burger. 

Winemaker Description

Medium dry with a full body. Blended and aged for a mellow, nutty flavor. 

Winemaker Description

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic expression of Dalla Valle's unique terroir. The iron rich, core stone volcanic site comprised of Andesitic Basalt bring beautiful concentration and elegance to the wines each vintage. The 2020 is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, always 100% estate blend. Notes of perfumed violet and bergamot on the nose harmonize with aromas of allspice and cassis. On the first sip you will find rich notes of blackberry, cocoa powder and cedar box carried by the undercurrent of plush and elegant tannins. An elongated finish allows you to experience the full complexities of this wine, which will have a long life ahead. 

Expert Reviews

96 Points James Suckling | So much blackberry and lead-pencil shavings. Hints of tar, too. Full-to medium-bodied with extremely well-crafted tannins that run the length of the wine. Hints of oak at the end, but this will come together nicely with bottle age. Slightly chewy now. Some salted caramel. (2020). 

95 Points Robert Parker | Black cherries, dark loam and cassis appear on the nose of Dalla Valle's 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, joined by hints of cedar and vanilla. It's medium to full-bodied, firm, tannic and sturdy but essentially ripe, with a softness to its structure that suggests early accessibility. The long, mocha-tinged finish lingers elegantly, a delicious capstone to a super wine.

94 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is a solid step up, boasting a deep purple color as well as a brilliant bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, liquid violets, and nicely integrated background oak. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, it hits the palate with medium to full body, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. It's up with the top wines I've tasted in the vintage.

93 Points Wine Spectator | This has showy violet, boysenberry and sweet bay leaf notes that leap to the fore, with good juicy energy tucked inside the core. Offers nice flow on the finish, which picks up a loamy accent while the fruit keeps the upper hand. Drink now through 2035. (2020). 

Expert Reviews

Decanter 98 Points | Screaming Eagle’s ‘The Flight’ is positively gorgeous in 2020, leading with a plethora of perfumed violets and wild herb notes intermixed with graphite and cedarwood spices. Mediym-bodied offering a purity of redberry fruit flavours redolent of cranberry and raspberry alongside dark cherry, all framed by tantalising acidity. The crunchy red fruit is balanced by a dazzling minerality, opening up to reveal blood orange, brown spices, spearmint, and pops of lovely blue floral notes. Broad tannins build in stature on the long, sanguine finish.

James Suckling 98 Points | Aromas of blackberries, red and black currants. Green olives, too. Dark roses and perfume. Medium-bodied with super crunchy energy and brightness. Very fine tannins. Elegant and precise. So subtle and complex, it’s really something...Needs four to five years to open and come together.

Winemaker Description 

From grain to glass we obsess over every detail of handcrafting  Supergay vodka. Supergay is made from 100% organic corn, from local producers. Supergay is handcrafted in small batches and filtered through activated coconut charcoal to  create a distinctively smooth  and clean vodka that mixes perfectly in cocktails, and is  equally delicious on the rocks.  Born from the belief that craft spirits should have more fun, Supergay Spirits was  established in 2019.

Winemaker Description

This single-vineyard Bordeaux blend presents intense aromas of both black and red currants, classic peonies, and earth with subtle hints of graphite and mint. Flavors of mocha, nutmeg, and thyme are featured prominently on the elegantly structured frame. The palate is adorned with baking spices, wild berries, and fine-grained tannins that carry through to a robust and perfectly balanced finish. 

Expert Reviews

94 Points James Suckling | Blackberry, black pepper, mulberry and leather on the nose. Full-bodied with fine tannins. On the palate, it’s fresher and more red-fruited than the nose let on. Balanced acidity and good depth. A little toasted and well spiced. This will age nicely. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 10% malbec and 5% cabernet franc. Sustainable. Best after 2024. (2019).

93 Points Vinous | Dusty and floral in the glass, the 2019 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard shows masses of black berry fruits, earth, sawdust and tobacco. This is cool-toned and silky in feel, yet quickly gains in tension, as tactile wild berry and minerals saturate the palate. The 2019 finishes structured yet with a mentholated freshness to balance, as hints of mocha and exotic spice slowly fade. This is a vintage for the cellar. The Apogee is a compelling blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Franc that’s refined for 22 months in 40% French oak. Rating: 93+

92 Points Wine Spectator | Broad-shouldered yet refined, with currant, stony mineral and licorice flavors that take on structure and tension toward medium-grained tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2030. 1,030 cases made. (2019). 

Winemaker Description

2019 embodies classic Hillside Select richness, vibrancy, and balance. The aromas push out of the glass, offering black cherry, cedar, cassis, and juicy red summer berries with lifted floral tones. Even at this youthful age, the complexity of the vintage is striking, merging dark fruit with tobacco, espresso, black olive, red plum, and black tea. The expansive mid-palate is complemented by ripe integrated tannins that add depth and structure, culminating in a long, profound finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019 

98+ Points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is another magical vintage for this cuvée. All Cabernet Sauvignon from hillside vineyards on the eastern side of Stags Leap, it offers a vivid purple hue as well as extraordinary notes of cassis, black raspberries, violets, camphor, and spring flowers, with perfectly integrated background oak. Full-bodied but not massive, it’s flawlessly balanced on the palate and has ultra-fine tannins, a seamless, elegant mouthfeel, and a great, great finish. It’s another 30- to 40-year wine from this incredible team that readers will absolutely love. (2019).

98+ Points Robert Parker | Sourced from specific blocks of estate-grown fruit, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is another highly successful vintage. All Cabernet Sauvignon aged 32 months in 100% new French oak, it boasts intense aromas of pencil shavings, dark loam, cassis and plum on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied, super-ripe, rich, dense and concentrated—a truly impressive California vin de garde. Tannic but ripe, it finishes long and firm on the finish, adding a hint of mocha. To be released in September 2023, it's a strong showing and hopefully an indication that quality will remain high under the new ownership. (2019).

98 Points James Suckling | A beautiful nose of pitted cherries, redcurrants, fresh herbs and violets. Full-bodied with fine, structured tannins. More gravelly, mineral and dark than the nose lets on. Savory almost. Terrific depth and concentration that keeps the palate flavorful through the generous finish. Chocolate, sage, rosemary, bark and moss. Layered. Superb wine. Needs time to come together. Best after 2024 and onward. (2019).

98 Points Vinous | The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is one of the most elegant wines I have tasted at Shafer. Effusive aromatics and silky tannins are immediately captivating. Crushed red/purplish berry fruit, mint, spice, lavender and licorice are all finely knit. We will see, but the 2019 may very well represent a new direction for Hillside Select, one of Napa Valley's most iconic Cabernets. (2019).

97 Points Wine Enthusiast | This broad, rich and mouthfilling wine is Shafer’s most elite and collectible. Aged for 32 months in all-new French oak barrels, it boasts extra-ripe blackberries and blueberries, accents of mint, cedar and graphite, and a big structure of polished tannins. (2019).

94 Points Wine Spectator| A ripe, exuberant style, with generous plum cake, blackberry compote and açaí berry notes mixed with melted black licorice and a nicely polished, singed mesquite–accented finish. Hard to resist now (if you like the power style), but also has the energy to take some cellaring. (2019).

Winemaker Description

Dark fruit notes of blueberry and plum on the nose with hints of dried oregano. On the palate, this Cabernet segues from dark fruit notes to savory undertones, while showing off a silky texture. Full-bodied and dense in structure, the wine’s long finish is driven by firm tannins plus hints of cocoa and vanilla. 

Winemaker Description

Sea Sun Pinot Noir has aromas of cherry, light toasted wood, dry earth, clove and a hint of s'mores. The flavors echo the cherry on the nose, with raspberry on the finish. Bright and fruit-driven, with lush cherries and a strikingly soft texture. 

Winemaker Descrption

J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon is dark and dense in color to the rim of the glass. Layered aromas of black cherry, currant and blueberry are accented by an authentic barrel-aged bouquet of dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and roasted coffee.

The palate peaks with high-toned red berry fruit, and follows with bright acidity and a full structure that is both dense and soft at once. 

Winemaker Description

Box Wine. This barrel aging, along with the red grapes' slow ripening process, imparts a pleasing complexity and depth of flavor to this Central Coast wine. With luscious flavors of ripe Bing cherries and blueberry, which are accented by toasty oak and hints of coffee and vanilla flavors, this delicious red wine pairs well with grilled lamb and steak, hearty pasta, strong cheeses, and a variety of other dishes. 

Feature this California red wine at a wine and cheese party, or enjoy a glass of wine on its own. This premium boxed wine features a convenient pour spout and includes directions on the outer package for opening the wine box and pouring a glass of wine. For optimal taste, store this 1.5 liter wine box at room temperature, but chill it for 30 to 60 minutes and serve cool at approximately 60 degrees. Robert Mondavi Private Selection: Here's to What's Next. Please enjoy our wines responsibly. © 2021 Robert Mondavi, Acampo, CA

Winemaker Descripton

The 2020 Les Titans Estate Syrah is packed with all the aromas that make lovers of cold climate Syrah seek high and low in a never-ending search for more. The nose smells like a juicy hangar steak with aromas of tarragon, iron, black olive, and blood intermingling with blue fruit. The wine is soft and round in the mid-palate and much more approachable on release than is typical for our Syrah due to a warmer 2020 vintage. There is still refreshing acidity and brightness on the finish but it is not as wound up. It tastes a little like an excellent Cornas in a cool year. 

Expert Ratings 

Jeb Dunnuck: 98 Points | The 2020 Syrah Les Titans is ripe and more brooding, with savory tones of olive, blackberry, plum, and ripe earth. Full-bodied and pure, it has a fantastic, gripping structure and is more grounded but weightless. Drink 2025-2040.

Robert Parker 93 Points | Medium ruby-purple color and gregarious aromas of cassis, menthol and bitter chocolate plus wafts of blueberry. The terroir of the West Sonoma Coast, and specifically our estate vineyard in Annapolis, imprints all of our wines in very precise ways. This is abundantly evident in our Syrahs which have a combination of red fruit aromas, high acidity, low alcohol (13.0 percent), and meaty, savory notes that you will not find in Syrah from any other region, This singularity is why more people should grow Syrah out here. It is why we should grow more Syrah. But, there is a catch. It is very tricky to grow a variety that has a tendency to be affected by various diseases in a cold, wet place like the West Sonoma Coast. Those of you who have been drinking our Syrah for the past two decades are aware our production amounts vary from year to year and have been meagre at times. The wines are fantastic but we have had to change trellising, nutrient protocols, pruning methods—just about everything—to get the plants to yield a decent-sized crop and to be healthy. Starting this winter, we plan to rip up a few underperforming blocks (not just low yielding but also the least exciting tasting blocks) and will start anew with Syrah cuttings from the blocks that are healthy and make wines we like.

As we begin our third decade of producing this Cabernet named after our children, we are excited at how incredible this wine continues to be. Exhibiting a nose of dark blackberry and blackcurrant, nuanced with notes of vanilla, and fresh rose powder, the subtlety and finesse are what strike the mind. The beautiful framework of this creamy, velvety and rich wine has amazing structure and mid-palate with a mouthfeel full dark cherry and purity of fruit expression. This wine has incredible balance and length to its finish.

Winemaker Description

Strikingly rich in color and extract, the 2018 Rubicon is unquestionably a precocious, hedonistic wine. The exotic, well-knit aromas and flavors include ripe cassis, allspice, star anise, vanilla and black licorice. Upon entry, this full-bodied wine envelops the palate with its luxurious concentration and supple, silky tannins, supported by vibrant freshness from the balanced acidity, and perfectly-integrated French oak. Very long and expansive in the finish, the 2018 Rubicon will be memorable for decades to come. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018 

James Suckling 97 Points | Subtle and complex red with blackberry, black truffle, sweet tobacco and mahogany. Highlights of lavender and violets. Full-bodied and very tight with finesse and tension. Very polished, fine tannins. Long finish. Delicious already, but best after 2022. (2018). 

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon is based on a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It’s a more backward, closed wine, offering classy notes of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, freshly crushed stone, and cedar. More medium to full-bodied and elegant, I’d like to see a touch more density and richness on the mid-palate, but it's beautifully balanced, has gorgeous tannins, integrated acidity, and outstanding length on the finish. Give this classic, impressive, old school beauty 4-5 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following 15-20. (2018).

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Alluring aromatically, with restrained yet complex notes of mulberry, loganberry and anise giving way to an equally understated core of the same, picking up light sassafras, black tea and incense hints. The refined structure lets this drape nicely on the finish, with a mineral hint chiming in. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2035. (2018).