Stephanie Red Wine (Bordeaux Blend)
2006 Stephanie Red Wine
Wine Spectator, by James Laube, 91 points:
Complex, with ripe cherry, plum and a hint of creme de cassis. Full bodied and fleshy, with depth, richness and concentration, ending with a mocha flavor. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2015.
Wine Enthusiast, by Steve Heimoff, 90 points:
Quite ripe, verging on overripe, showing flavors of blackberries, black currants and cedar, with a very slight raisining on the finish. Shows good integration of oak and fruit, housed in firm tannins that are astringent in youth. Should develop bottle maturity for six years or so, at least.
2005 Stephanie Red Wine
Wine Spectator, by James Laube, 93 points:
Exhibits ripe, vivid blackberry, wild plum and black cherry fruit that's well-proportioned, focused, long and persistent, with appropriate tannins and acidity, ending with a complex aftertaste and a touch of mocha. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec. Drink now through 2016. 940 cases made.
Wine Enthusiast, by Steve Heimoff, 92 points:
This is the winery’s priciest red and also its best. It immediately appeals for the soft, lush texture and the way the sweet fruit marries with the oak to wow the palate. Shows lush cherries and cassis, with rich nuances of vanilla, smoky wood and anise. Decadent and delicious, and best now through 2011. Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, but comprised of all 5 Bordeaux varieties.
Wine & Spirits Magazine, 92 points:
Year's Best Cabernet & Blends Sleek and fully draped in tannin this has the high-toned ping of Bing Cherry adding vibrancy to its wild black cherry and black currant flavor. Sweet oak melds with the foresty fruit in this blend of cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, cabernet franc, merlot and malbec. The lovely integration bodes well for several years of evolution in the cellar.
Connoisseur’s Guide, 91 points:
72% Cabernet Sauvignon; 12% Petit Verdot; 7% Cabernet Franc; 5% Merlot; 4% Malbec. The formulations of the brace under this new label are fairly similar and, not surprisingly, so are the wines. If anything, this one could be considered a little bit more plush in palatefeel and a tad higher in ripe cherry fruitiness, but, in truth, there is not a lot separating the two. Both are nicely fruity, are equipped with nominal tannins and drink well now but will drink even better with cellaring.
Andrea Immer Robinson, 90 points:
Imagine a bubbling cauldron of blueberry, licorice, chocolate and vanilla cream, transformed into a cloud on the tongue, and you have this sumptuous wine. Bravo!