Ratings:
92
Wine Enthusiast
"An impressive wine. Ed Sbragia wrestles that famously briary Dry Creek rusticity to the ground, forcing it into refined elegance. With straightforward blackberry, cherry, mocha and cedar flavors, it’s simply delicious for drinking now."
90 Robert Parker
"Another reasonably priced, outstanding offering is the 2010 Merlot Home Ranch, which includes small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Its deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by notes of white chocolate, mocha, black cherries and vanillin in a medium to full-bodied, lush, round, generously endowed style. Consume it over the next 5-6 years. "
Product Description:
Believe it or not, Cabernet Sauvignon lovers will find plenty to love here. At 19.98 per bottle, this is one of the most exciting red wines in the shop right now in this price point!
For decades, Ed Sbragia earned his reputation as one of California's most gifted winemakers while serving as Winemaster (that's what they called him) at Beringer Vineyards. The sheer number of great wines made by Sbragia during his 32 year stint at Beringer could fill volumes. And, Beringer's modest pricing policy helped boost sales and lifted Beringer into the upper echelon of Napa Valley wineries.
In 2006, Sbragia started his own family winery in the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County. While he still consults for Beringer, Sbragia has already developed a cult following for wines made under his own label. Like Beringer, Sbragia's wines are high end yet affordable, an ideal combination. Perhaps our all-time favorite Sbragia wine is this 2010 Merlot made from grapes grown on his own "Home Ranch" vineyard. We are very impressed. It's on sale now from Wine Library for just $19.98, representing terrific value!
While Sbragia's track record of excellence covers many grapes, his resume could support the notion that he is a Merlot specialist. Long time fans of California wines can point to a series of Beringer Merlots made from the Bancroft Ranch Vineyard that were - and still are - considered among the greatest Merlots ever made in the Golden State. Stylistically and qualitatively, this Merlot will remind you of those of yesteryear -- only the price is much lower!
The minimalist approach taken by Sbragia is particularly well-suited to the rustic quality of Merlot from Dry Creek Valley. The 2010 Home Ranch Merlot was aged for 18 months in partially new/partially seasoned French Nevers oak barrels to impart brown spice aromas and flavors and supple tannins. He blended a small amount (5%) of Cabernet Franc for added aromatics and structure.
From the winery: "Warm, lush flavors of cherry liqueur are punctuated with notes of bright red currant and rhubarb in Sbragia's 2010 Home Ranch Merlot. The wine has a rich mouth-feel without being ponderous, with notes of dark chocolate, vanilla and cinnamon spice and an intriguing note of pink peppercorn. The tannins are soft and supple and the wine carries a long, smooth finish."
From Wine Library: We carry dozens of California Merlots that are priced at $20 or less. Quite simply, few can beat this winner from Ed Sbragia!
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