Lyrarakis Red 2017

Lyrarakis Mandilari Plakoura Cretian Red  is made from 100% Mandilari

Description: The rare low-yield Plakoura vineyard is the equivalent to a Premier Cru slope at 500m. Altitude, with sandy, stony soil. The head-trained pruning in combination with the north-east exposure of the vineyard and plenty of sunshine, ensures that the grapes reach optimum ripeness at the time of harvest. Very thorough cultivation helps us achieve extremely low yields, succeeding in vinificating a very concentrated wine with a deep red color and an excellent structure, which will age for a long time.

Tasting Notes: Deep, intense red color. In the nose, complex aromas of juicy plums, toffee and licorice are superbly balanced by the chocolate and vanilla notes provided by its ageing process in oak. In the mouth it is well concentrated with a lively lingering finish. This wine has an excellent bottle ageing potential that can overpass 10 years.

Alcohol: 13% ABV
Acidity: 5.62 g/L
pH: 3.5
RS: 2.11 g/L

Region: Plakoura vineyard, Karkadiotisa area - central Crete
Soil: Sandy-loam with a good amount of stones
Sun Exposure: North East
Pruning Technique: Head trained, spur pruned
Altitude: 500m above sea level
Irrigation: Not irrigated
Yield: 5tn/ha
Varieties: 100% Mandilari

Winemaking: Green-harvested in August. Harvested by hand during the second week of September, defined by berry sensory assessment to obtain a proper fruit and aromatic balance. Fermentation with selected yeasts at temperature between 25°C and 28°C. The wine was aged for 12 months in both new and used oak barrels and then stored in bottles for 9 months before being launched commercially.

Food pairing: Grilled red meat, game and piquant cheese.

Lyrarakis Mandilari Plakoura Cretian Red  is made from 100% Mandilari

Description: The rare low-yield Plakoura vineyard is the equivalent to a Premier Cru slope at 500m. Altitude, with sandy, stony soil. The head-trained pruning in combination with the north-east exposure of the vineyard and plenty of sunshine, ensures that the grapes reach optimum ripeness at the time of harvest. Very thorough cultivation helps us achieve extremely low yields, succeeding in vinificating a very concentrated wine with a deep red color and an excellent structure, which will age for a long time.

Tasting Notes: Deep, intense red color. In the nose, complex aromas of juicy plums, toffee and licorice are superbly balanced by the chocolate and vanilla notes provided by its ageing process in oak. In the mouth it is well concentrated with a lively lingering finish. This wine has an excellent bottle ageing potential that can overpass 10 years.

Alcohol: 13% ABV
Acidity: 5.62 g/L
pH: 3.5
RS: 2.11 g/L

Region: Plakoura vineyard, Karkadiotisa area - central Crete
Soil: Sandy-loam with a good amount of stones
Sun Exposure: North East
Pruning Technique: Head trained, spur pruned
Altitude: 500m above sea level
Irrigation: Not irrigated
Yield: 5tn/ha
Varieties: 100% Mandilari

Winemaking: Green-harvested in August. Harvested by hand during the second week of September, defined by berry sensory assessment to obtain a proper fruit and aromatic balance. Fermentation with selected yeasts at temperature between 25°C and 28°C. The wine was aged for 12 months in both new and used oak barrels and then stored in bottles for 9 months before being launched commercially.

Food pairing: Grilled red meat, game and piquant cheese.

Sunset Hills Red is made from 77% Cabernet Franc, 9% Tannat, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon

Notes of brambled blackberry, raspberry, plum, and forest floor. Light in body, leaning on acidity rather than tannins. Youthful and vibrant!

The lighter style that Sunset Red offers widens the scope of the wines here at Sunset Hills Vineyard. Delicate and youthful, the structure of the Sunset Red is carried by its acidity and bright fruit notes, rather than heavy oak or tannins. We want this wine to be enjoyed young—with the fruit notes still bright and vibrant.

Dominus Napa Valley Red Blend  is made from 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot.

The historic Napanook Vineyard, a 124-acre site west of Yountville, was planted in 1838. This vineyard was the source of fruit for some of the finest Napa Valley wines. Estate-bottled in the spirit of the Bordeaux châteaux, Dominus Estate is dry-farmed to allow natural stress and good concentration of fruit. Grape clusters are crop-thinned to allow sun and air to pass in between, helping to achieve full maturation and soften the tannins. Only 20% to 40% new French oak barrels are used in order to limit the extraction of oak notes. To express the unique terroir, the classic Bordeaux grape varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are planted with different root stocks best suited for the varying soil composition of gravel, heavy clay and loam.

Reviews:

The 2017 Dominus is one of the truly epic, grand wines of the vintage. Rich, dense and explosive, with tremendous concentration and sheer power, the 2017 Dominus captures all the personality of this site along with the natural opulence of the year. Inky dark fruit, lavender, menthol, licorice, plum, gravel and a host of dark spice notes infuse the 2017 with seemingly endless layers of nuance. Over the last two years I have tasted several hundred Napa Valley Cabernets, both from barrel and bottle. There is no question that Dominus belongs among the elite in 2017; it is simply a breathtaking wine. Certainly readers looking for a Napa Valley Cabernet to cellar should put Dominus at the top of their lists. -Vinous 98 Points

The grand vin is the 2017 Dominus, which is based on 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, harvested between September 21 and October 3, and aged in 40% new French oak. Chateau Lafite-like notes of blackcurrants, lead pencil shavings, cedary tobacco, and gravelly earth all emerge from the glass, and it's full-bodied, has a terrific sense of elegance, lots of tannins, and a great finish. This tight, powerful, concentrated Dominus will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 25 years or more. 2017 doesn't get much better. -Robert Parker 97 Points

There was about 50% of a normal crop this year for the 2017 Dominus, due to strict selection. Grapes were harvested from September 21 to October 3 and the wine was bottled in June 2019. This year the blend is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, aged in 40% new French oak barrels. Very deep purple-black in color, it sashays nonchalantly out of the glass with graceful notions of potpourri, forest floor, crushed rocks, Ceylon tea and licorice with a core of black currant cordial, chocolate-covered cherries, mulberries and preserved plums plus a waft of garrigue. Full-bodied, the palate has a beautifully impactful, wonderfully quiet intensity of black and blue fruits with loads of floral and spicy sparks, framed by firm yet plush tannins, finishing with long-lasting earthy notes. -Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points

Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Red is made from

Vineyards: Champoux, Discovery, DuBrul, Galitzine, Klipsun, Palengat, Shaw, Tapteil and Wallula 

   Review:

"The 2017 Columbia Valley CVR is smoking stuff. Based on 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc sourced from the Champoux, Galitzine, Palengat, and Wallula Vineyards, it has loads of cassis, toasted spice, graphite, and dried tobacco notes as well as full-bodied richness, a broad, expansive mouthfeel, and sweet tannins. It’s not far off the top releases here, and it remains a stunning value in world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink it any time over the coming 15 years or more."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2020), 95 pts

Siegel Unique Selection Red is made from 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Carmenere and 20% Syrah

Aged in French oak barrels for 14-16 months.

Viña Siegel Unique Selection is the utmost expression of our best Los Lingues vineyards located in the Alto Colchagua region. 
A deep violet color. There are aromas of cassis and cherries with hints of spices, chocolate and violets. This wine is characterised by its complexity and harmony, with a robust tannic structure.

After carefully selecting the optimum harvest date, the grapes are hand selected, then they are de-stemmed and cold macerated for 5-6 days. Alcoholic fermentation occurs at 26-29°C, during this period pump overs are performed daily at the winemaker’s discretion. Post-fermentative maceration occurs for 2 to 3 weeks. The wine is smoothly clarified. Cold stabilisation only occurs when necessary.

Review:

"Dark ruby. Heady, spice-tinged dark berry preserve, incense and floral pastille scents show excellent clarity and a touch of mint in the background. In a suave, palate-coating style, displaying sweet black and blue fruit flavors and showing no excess weight. Picks up bitter chocolate and spicecake nuances on the gently tannic, expansive finish, which hangs on with outstanding tenacity. - Josh Raynolds""

- Vinous (February 2017), 91 pts