It is always a pleasure working with a winery partner year over year and having the fortune to taste the same label but differing vintages. We last tasted this wine for the 2014 vintage. The 2017 The Shepherd Estate Red is once again a blend of Syrah, Zinfandel and Tempranillo. All of the grapes are sources from estate vines and the mixture of each grape differs each year, depending on the quality of the grapes and the overall desired affect. This wine is a dark inky purple in the glass and (although tough to see in the picture) the cork is nearly black and sexy. Solid color to the edge of the glass. Blueberry pie, cedar bark and plum primarily on the nose. Baked cherry cobbler, vanilla bean and cremè de cassis are lovely flavors with hints of black pepper wrapped up in lush tannin. These three grapes are always a favorite and this wine drinks very, very easily now or you can hold it for 5+ years. Most of the wines are tasted unescorted by food, but this would pair well with a hearty cut tomahawk steak with seasoned potatoes. And, as always, this wine is an incredible bargain at just $25 suggested retail.
ABV: 14.2%
Napa Valley, Carneros, CA
Suggested retail price: $25.00
Drink The Bottles score: 89/100
