Once in awhile you pop and cork and get so excited because of the incredible color that is displayed on the cork. When I pulled the cork out of this 2014 The Shepherd Estate Red wine, I knew I was in for a real good time! Seriously, it was incredible. Check out the picture HERE and I know you'll appreciate what I'm talking about. So, I was completely unfamiliar with Shepherd Wines until I received this bottle. Shepherd Wines is an offspring of my friends at Truchard Vineyards. They currently offer 2 wines under the Shepherd label - a Sauvignon Blanc and this Estate Red.
Seldom do I open a wine, roll my eyes skyward and then clinch a fist in pleasure before tasting the wine. But that is exactly what has happened here. Before I get into that, I have to tell you that I literally cannot wrap my head around the fact that this wine has a $20 price point. This wine is clearly worth at least twice that price and with just over 1000 cases produced, this is a wine that won't last long once the word gets out. This could be the viral wine of this season! (Clinches fist again.) This beauty is a blend of Syrah, Zinfandel and Tempranillo. No wonder I love this wine so much. These are 3 of my favorite reds. I think Zinfandel and Tempranillo get overlooked all too often by most people in the wine world. But we have a love for each other.
Medium red with dark purple hues in the glass, incredibly aromatic blackberry, baking spices, old barn hay mount, vanilla and clove on the nose. So much going on here and as I was swirling, the aromas literally wafted right up out of the glass before I stuck my nose in. I knew this was going to be something special - and it is. Juicy, jammy and mouth-watering flavors of blackberry, barn wood, cherry cobbler and hints of a marinated, lightly peppered brisket. When I give an overall score on wines, one thing I have to consider other than the obvious (presentation, aromas, flavor, finish) is the value. And I can't stress this enough. Twenty bucks for this wine is a flippin' steal!
ABV: 14.2%
Napa Valley, Carneros, California
Suggested retail price: $20.00
Drink The Bottles score: 95/100
