Recent Awards and Accolades
-Chosen as a "Winery To Watch in 1999" by WineToday.com (Jan 1999)
-1997 Napa Valley Sangiovese "Blood of Jupiter" 88 points - Wine Spectator (July 1999);
Silver Medal, 1999 San Francisco International Wine Competition
-1997 Napa Valley Merlot "Lirtle Blackbird" Silver Medal, 1999 Orange County Fair
-1998 Napa Valley Pinot Grigio
Bronze Medal, 1999 San Francisco International Wine Competition
-1997 Napa Valley Zinfandel
FOUR STARS- WineToday.com (Dcc, 1998)
-1997 Napa Valley Chardonnay
Bronze Medal, 1998 California State Fair
-1995 Cabernet Sauvignon
Gold Medal, Best 1995 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Best of Region) 94 points, 1998 California State Fair
Gold Medal, 1998 Riverside International Wine Competition
1997 NAPA VALLEY ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Epicurean
December 2000
"The debut vintage of Phoenix Vineyard's estate Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied, with big, juicy black currant fruit accented by tobacco leaf and toast overtones, great depth, soft chewy tannins, and an almost sweet impression
on the finish."
92 points
Steven Tanzer 's International Wine Cellar
November 15, 2000
"Bright ruby red. Pungent nose combines blackberry, cocoa powder, dried rose, mint and meat. A juicy, intense fruit-bomb on the palate with urgent, thoroughly ripe blackbeny flavor complicated by notes of leather, game and cinnamon. Finishes with lush tannins and excellent grip and length. The first wine I've seen from this new producer and very impressive."
91 points
The Wine Enthusiast
December 15, 2000
"A debut Cabernet from this winery. What a dark color! Almost black, but one whiff tells you this is serious stuff. All kinds of fancy black-currant, vanilla and cassis aromas, with a solid dose of toasty oak. The depth of flavor is impressive, all wild berry, stone fruit and spice; pure and fine, but the tannins are ample. Needs a few years of cellaring, and the very long, sweet finish suggests it will be terrific after 2005 or so."
92 points
The Wine Spectator
October 3l, 2000
"Concentrated and tightly wound, with flavors of blackberry, cranberry and herbs that need a year or two to integrate the coiled tannins. Best from 2001 though 2008. 520 cases made."
91 points
1999 NAPA VALLEY RANCHO NAPA RED
The Wine Enthusiast
December, 2002
"A new superpremium Bordeaux blend, and a good one. Black currant fruit aromas are rich and potent, with elegant swirls of smoke and vanilla from good oak. The wine is dry with intricate dusty complicated tannins. It emphasises a lean, classical approach to Cabernet that's very fine and impressive."
93 points, 636 cases made.
2000 NAPA VALLEY ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
The Wine Enthusiast
December, 2003
"Pours inky black,...reveals blackberry jam with hints of dark chocolate, vanilla and toast. Drinks soft, velvety, luscious and complex. Good berry fruit supported by firm, dry tannins.Lovely now, and best consumed in a few years to capture its vibrant youth."
92 points, EDITORS CHOICE, 320 cases made.
