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Winery of the Week:
McGrail Vineyards - Livermore Valley, Ca

If you're a fan of great views and great wine, (and really, who isn't?) then McGrail Vineyards is a must visit. Located on an idyllic hillside in the Livermore Valley, just southeast of the San Francisco Bay, one can simply sit back, sip on a glass of top-notch Cabernet or Chardonnay, and forget about the rest of the world for a little while. And if you can't make it to the winery, having a bottle is almost as nice.

Click on labels to enlarge

McGrial 2013 "Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery: McGrial
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Livermore Valley, Ca
Year: 2013

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
40-45

Review:
Aromas of currants, black cherries, and blackberries come together with notes of clove, vanilla, and oak on the nose. With a sip, flavors of blackberry, dark cherry, and cassis flow into expressions of toasty oak, sweet spice, and vanilla. Ample dark fruit and rich tannins endear this wine to a juicy steak. 1,489 cases produced.
Rating: 90

McGrial 2013 "Patriot" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery: McGrial
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Livermore Valley, California

Year: 2013

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
40-45

Review:
Fragrances of cherries, boysenberries, vanilla, and green olive rise up from a glass. The palate reveals flavors of bramble fruit, cherry, and plum along with whispers of caramel and earth. A Cab with cocoa taninns and balanced flavors, open a bottle with a lamb shank. 278 cases were made.
Rating: 91

McGrial 2013 "A Jo Elet" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery: McGrial
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Livermore Valley, California

Year: 2013

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
40-45

Review:
Blackberries, cassis, and cherries mingle with undertones of all-spice and vanilla bean on the nose. Currant, bramble fruit, and dark cherry emerge on the palate, accented by suggestions of spice, caramel, and toasty oak. Lovers of Cabernet with rich tannins and plush dark fruit will really enjoy this wine. 224 cases produced.
Rating: 91

McGrial 2013 "Shawus Patrick" Red Blend
Winery: McGrial
Grape(s): 42% Cabernet, 29% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, & 8% Petite Sirah

Region: Livermore Valley, California

Year: 2013

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
30-35

Review:
A bouquet of plums, blackberries, blueberries, and toasty vanilla greet the senses. The palate showcases flavors of blueberry, cherry, and plum that unfold into elements of mocha and clove. With polished tannins and compelling dark fruit, it's a wine that is well suited to open with roast beef. 426 cases were made.
Rating: 89

McGrial 2015 Chardonnay
Winery: McGrial
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay

Region: Livermore Valley, California

Year: 2015

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
25-30

Review:
Aromatics of stone fruit and tropical fruit meld with whispers of buttery oak and vanilla on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of peach, pear, and pineapple, which are rounded out by highlights of vanilla and oak. Mouth-filling with a welcoming acidity, it's a fine example how good Livermore Valley Chardonnay can be. 699 cases produced.
Rating: 90

By Jason Barlow

Other Related Links:

Ratings Key:
96 — 100
Spectacular
92 — 95
Outstanding
89 — 91
Great
85 — 88
Good
81 — 84
Solid

*Wines rated with a "+" need a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will do so over the coming years

 

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