Winery
of the Week: Shannon Ridge - Lake County, Ca
Clay
and Margarita Shannon have been working with
Lake County fruit for over two decades, so they understand the
area's potential for producing great wine. The wines they release
under their Shannon Ridge labels are made from sustainability
farmed fruit, and since every bottle is priced under $30, they're
some fine values, too. Recently, our tasting panel sat down
to sample a selection of their current releases. Here's what
they thought:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Shannon
Ridge 2012 "Two Bud Block" Zinfandel
Winery:
Shannon Ridge
Grape(s): 85% Zinfandel & 15% Petite
Sirah
Region: Lake County, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromatics of plums, raspberries, and cherries mingle with
nuances of sweet spice and vanilla bean on the nose. Flavors
of plum, cherry, and bramble fruit come together with
traces of vanilla, clove, and cocoa on the palate. Dark
fruit and soft tannins make this wine a fine companion
for BBQ chicken. 1,500 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Vigilance
2014 Chardonnay
Winery:
Shannon Ridge
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Lake County, Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
A bouquet of pear, pineapple, toasty vanilla, and sweet
spice rises up from a glass. The palate showcases flavors
of tart pineapple, crisp pear, and sweet honeydew, alongside
accents of vanilla and oak. A bit of creaminess is balanced
nicely by a welcoming acidity, making it a fine choice
for your next dinner party. 7,000 cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Vigilance
2014 Sauvignon Blanc
Winery:
Shannon Ridge
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Lake County, Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
Aromas of grapefruits, limes, and honeydew melons come
together with hints of grass and minerals on the nose.
With a sip, flavors of citrus fruit, melon, and tart apple
move into grassy and minerally whispers. The crisp acidity
is in harmony with ample bright fruit making it a fine
aperitif. 6,500 cases produced.
Rating: 87 |
|
High
Valley 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé
Winery:
Shannon Ridge
Grape(s): 85% Cabernet Sauvignon &
15% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Lake County, Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Raspberry, strawberry, and pomegranate aromas meld interweave
with citrus highlights on the nose. Cranberry, raspberry,
and bing cherry flavors emerge on the palate among allusions
of tangerine and honey. A lush, mouthfilling Rosé
with a welcoming acidity, it would be an ideal companion
for a mixed green salad topped with grilled chicken and
a raspberry vinaigrette. 2,300 cases were made.
Rating: 88 |
|
High
Valley 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Shannon Ridge
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Lake County, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Fragrances of blackberries, currants, black cherries and
thyme greet the senses. The palate reveals flavors of
bramble fruit, cherry, and black currant that unfold into
suggestions of minerals, toasty oak, and herbs. With lots
of black fruit and cocoa tannins, this wine calls for
a juicy rib-eye steak. 4,000 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Shannon
Ridge 2013 "Wrangler Red" Blend
Winery:
Shannon Ridge
Grape(s): 44% Zinfandel 43% Syrah, 11%
Petite Sirah, & 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Lake County, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
The nose offers aromas of blackberries, plums, and black
cherries accented by hints of leather and spice. Flavors
of bramble fruit, cherry, and plum come together with
elements of leather, cocoa, and clove on the palate. A
hearty red with supple tannins, go with the cowboy theme
and have a glass with a buffalo burger. 12,127 cases were
made.
Rating: 88 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
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