Wines from Shenandoah Valley (CA)
Shenandoah 2003 Rezerve Barbera (Shenandoah Valley (CA))
- $24
Dark, bitterly dry and mouth-puckeringly tannic, this is not a wine for those looking for immediate hedonistic pleasure. Although extensive decanting and big, rich meats and cheeses will help, it’s really built for the cellar. Should hold and soften for 20 years.
— S.H.
(10/1/2006)
Terre Rouge 1998 Sentinel Oak Vineyard Pyramid Bloc Syrah (Shenandoah Valley (CA))
- $30
Only 1000 cases of this wine were made, from some of the oldest Syrah vines in the Sierra Foothills. Sharp herbal aromas with a hint of green ride over bacony, meaty notes accented by smoky oak. The texture is velvety smooth, and fruity flavors fan out over the palate. It’s dry, balanced and complex.
— S.H.
(8/1/2001)
Clos du Lac 1998 Potter Vineyard Zinfandel (Shenandoah Valley (CA))
- $18
Nice cherry fruit, in a big, bold, forward, friendly style. The fruit is perfectly ripened, balanced, full and nicely handled, with nothing obscuring the clean, ripe flavors. Well-made wine, with no unnecessary frills.
— P.G.
(3/1/2001)
Amador Foothill Winery 2000 Grand Reserve Sangiovese (Shenandoah Valley (CA))
- $30
Always an interesting wine from this winery, this is a concentrated, intense wine, darkly hued, with big flavors. Smells like cured tobacco and blackberries, with a smoky, meaty note. Drinks bone dry, with dark berry flavors and thick, dusty tannins. A bit soft, but fascinating.
— S.H.
(9/1/2003)
Easton 2001 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon (Shenandoah Valley (CA))
- $30
Lots to admire in this dry, balanced Cab. It shows plenty of harmony in the way it pulls together the complex berry and spice flavors, smooth tannins, subtle oak and acid-alcohol balance. Easy to drink, yet has style and finesse.
— S.H.
(8/1/2005)
Amador Foothill Winery 2005 Sauvignon Blanc (Shenandoah Valley (CA))
- Best Buy
- $12
A wondeful Fumé-type wine, especially at this price, that reminds me of Sancerre. Bone dry and crisp, it has a minerally taste of the earth underlying the grapefruit, lime and gardenia flavors, and an exceptionally long, spicy finish.
— S.H.
(9/1/2007)
Renwood 1996 Single Harvest Colheita Reserve Port (Shenandoah Valley (CA))
- $90
Made from traditional Port varieties, this 11 year-old wine has achieved a soft, nutty silkiness, although it still contains fine, crisp acids and smooth tannins. It’s not terribly sweet, with flavors of raspberries, cherries, red currants, chocolate truffle and caramel. Needs more concentration.
— S.H.
(12/31/2007)
Kendric 2007 Syrah (Shenandoah Valley (CA))
- $21
A rich, dry wine, soft and velvety in tannins. It feels satisfying all the way through. Not super-big in fruit, but nuanced, offering layers of blackberries, currants, dark chocolate, herbs, leather and pepper. One of the finer Syrahs to come out of the Sierra Foothills this year. Ready now.
— S.H.
(10/1/2010)
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