Wine Enthusiast Scores
June 11, 2016
2013 Le Vigne Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and 2013 Cuore Della Vigna, June 11, 2016
We are so excited to announce that we just got in the scores from Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and the results are everything we were hoping for!
Le Vigne 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon di Domenico: 91 points
Judges’ Notes: Dark chocolate, dried mint, roasted meat and black and red cherry arise on the lush yet lighter nose of this bottling. The palate is full and rich with complexity but not overly creamy, offering flavors of baked plum, pencil lead, pork roast and smoked herbs.
Tasting/Vintage notes: Consisting of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon topped off with just 1% of Merlot, the grapes used for this wine are from the oldest plantings of the varietals. The block from which they were harvested yields characteristics of earthy complexity, reminiscent of an old-world wine, while carrying bright red fruit characters that develop with our microclimate. The barrels selected for this lot represent the American oak cooperage program that began with this vintage.
Le Vigne 2013 Coure Della Vigna Super Tuscan Blend: 90 points
Judges’ Notes: Cedar, cherry, black olive, wet earth, green olive and freshly plucked plum pop on the nose of this bottling. The palate shows lots of ripe black cherry down the middle, but is surrounded by a tangy green olive and an underripe-berry character, whose tartness enlivens the mouth.
Tasting/Vintage notes: “Cuore della Vigna” translates from Italian to “Heart of the Vineyard.” As a tribute to the Italian heritage of our proprietor, this super Tuscan-style blend is a reflection of Italy’s grape varieties through the lens of Paso Robles’ unique terroir. Super Tuscan wines are alternately defined as Tuscan-grown blends made from international varieties, or international blends using Tuscan varieties. This style arose in the 1970s out of rebellion toward Italy’s strict regulations, which limited wine-makers to producing Chianti and stifled their creativity. They made wines with illegal varietals that were muscular and sexy, yet retained the acidity and rustic tannins that pair well with food -essential aspects to any Italian wine. The Sangiovese grown in our Acquarello Vineyard exhibits robust, sun-baked tannins characteristic of Paso Robles wines, with fruit-driven muscularity and mouth- watering acidity. The Bordeaux varietals, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, elevate the red fruit flavors and add to the mid-structure, giving a boldness that invites the company of hearty cuisine.
Le Vigne di Domenco 2013 Nikiara Red Wine: 90 points
Judges’ Notes: Blistered red plum, savory herbs, black olive and a touch of green peppercorn show on the nose of this blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot. Pencil lead and black peppercorns come through on the palate, spicing up the black-cherry, clay-earth and roasted-coffee flavors. It goes down easy.
Tasting/Vintage Notes: A nose of baked cherry, date and cola precede an intriguing palate of cocoa powder, black rapsberry and tobacco. Elongated tannins carry notes of cigar box and malabar peppercorn for a lingering and seductive finish.
Le Vigne di Domenico 2013 Sangiovese: 89 points
Judges’ Notes: Savory touches of herb-crusted poultry, leather and turned earth show on the nose of this bottling from East Paso. Dried red fruit, rich leather and smoked pork elements and a touch of coffee on the finish show on the palate, where the tannins are a touch firm right now.
Tasting/Vintage Notes: Only in the last century has this varietal gained recognition beyond is use in mass-market Chianti wine, primarily as California’s relatively recent plantings have moved away from the yield-driven selection to the propagation of superior clones. Taming the boisterous tannins with generous new oak reveals the exquisite balance of rare fruits, floral notes, and rustic depth for a modern sophistication that has been historically underestimated. Our estate grown Sangiovese was paired with new Russian and American oak barrels to integrate fine annins and toasty spice noes with a low, woody aroma. Much like Marco Polo’s journey along the silk road, this wine embodies the spirit of Italy with the spices of the orient. Plum and vietnamese cilantro are at the forefront with underlying truffle and Amarena cherries. Pronounced yet well-integrated oak shows, illustrated by smoldering wood and menthol characteristics.
Le Vigne 2013 Acquarello Cabernet Sauvignon: 89 points
Judges’ Notes: Inviting red fruit aromas of strawberry and cherry are given a dose of intrigue with dill and black pepper spice on the nose of this bottling. There is a welcome touch of herbs to the palate, from oregano to thyme to dill, which bolster the primary black cherry and blueberry fruits.
Tasting/Vintage Notes: Intensely aromatic cherry cola and clove spice form an indulgent bouquet, with flavors of Santa Rosa plum and lightly roasted coffee. Elegant on the palate with developed yet approachable tannins and lively acidity, this bold wine promises profound sophistication in maturity.
Le Vigne 2013 Di Ranchita Vista Petite Sirah: 89 points
Judges’ Notes: Blackberry, violet and ash aromas rise toward a light vanilla and fudge profile on the nose of this bottling. The tannins are prominent on the tip of the sip, followed by raging acidity. Next juicy flavors of black fruit pleasingly commence, accented by purple flowers, white pepper and cocoa powder.
Tasting/Vintage Notes: This is a wine that was truly made in the vineyard, fro a single block of Petite Sirah at our Ranchita Vista Vineyard. Situated in the hills of east San Miguel, this site’s terrain and altitude allow a great deal of sun exposure with cooler temperatures and excelent drainage, supporting the supple yet elegant structure of this deeply pigmented varietal. Paso Robles is is especially hospitable for Petite Sirah, baking the tannins in the heat of he day and caching the acidity during cool, crisp evenings. The emergence of a uniquely Californian style has resulted in tremendous popularity, spotlighting richly tannic, balanced wines with flavors of spicy plum and grilled meat.With jammy aromas of a mixed berry patch (including blueberries, huckleberries, blackberries, and boysenberries) merge with ripe plum and subtle Black Cerignola olives to create a flavor and mouthfeel that is truly uniqe. The finish is rich and illustrious with fig and a kick of white pepper.