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:
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
|