Robert Parker Review, 2021
The latest scores are in from Robert Parker and we couldn’t be prouder of our winery and vineyard crews—their hard work, dedication, and decades of experience shows through with each and every vintage. Of greatest note, the 2018 Gibson Block Syrah topped the charts at 96 points, both the 2019 Angeli Zinfandel and 2019 Román Zinfandel rang in at 95, and with one of the highest scores for the price point category in Robert Parker history, the Californian classic blend Old Vine Red Lot 71 received an astonishing 94 points. Browse through all the scores below. Way to go team!
REVIEWS
ESTATE SERIES
2019 Angeli Zinfandel – 95 Points – “The 2019 Angeli Zinfandel has a medium ruby color and elegant perfume of white peaches, white pepper, tea leaves, licorice and wild berries. The palate balances intense, ultra-perfumed fruit with loads of lift, and it finishes long and full of flavor. This is notable for its stellar price-to-quality ratio.”
2018 Game Trail Cabernet Sauvignon – 94+ Points – “Medium ruby-purple, the 2018 Game Trail Cabernet Sauvignon has intense aromas of black fruits with accents of tar, earth, iron and leather. The palate is full-bodied and grainy with broody, still youthfully wound fruits and appealing hints of gravel, mint and spice that hint at more development to come with another couple of years in bottle.”
2018 Gibson Block Syrah – 96 Points – “The 2018 Gibson Block Syrah comes from very old vines interplanted with other varieties like Grenache, Trousseau Noir and Mission. They are dry-farmed, picked together and co-fermented. It has a deep ruby-purple color and deep, layered aromas of tar, earth, blackcurrant liqueur, cast iron and dried violets. The full-bodied palate bursts with juicy acidity, sparks of Luxardo cherry and a silky, rounded mouthfeel. It finishes very long and perfumed.”
FAMILY SERIES
2018 Armé – 94 Points – “The 2018 Armé Cabernet Sauvignon is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 7% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot. Medium ruby-purple, it has pure, classic aromas of cassis, graphite, violets, loamy earth and tobacco. The intensely flavored palate is light on its feet with loads of juicy lift and a soft tannic frame, and it finishes long and floral. It’s an incredibly elegant style, particularly at this price point!”
2018 Christo – 95 Points – “The 2018 Christo is made up of 60% Syrah, 24% Grenache, 12% Petite Sirah and 4% Viognier. Vibrant ruby-purple in color, the nose offers pure scents of crushed red, black and blue berries, tobacco, violets, tar and smoked meats. The palate is full-bodied and packed full of perfectly ripe, juicy fruit, with a grainy frame and loads of uplift on the finish.”
2019 Román – 95 Points – “The 2019 Román Zinfandel (blended with 4% Barbera and 2% Petite Sirah) has a medium ruby-purple color and gregarious scents of candied peach, wild berry preserves, orange peel and tar. The palate is deeply fruited but light on its feet with bright freshness and loads of perfume on the long finish.”
OVR SERIES:
Old Vine Red, Lot 72 (sold out)– 94 Points – “Deep ruby-purple in color, the NV Old Vine Red Lot 71 has bright black cherry on the nose, with accents of fresh tobacco leaves, woodsmoke iron and potpourri. Medium-bodied, grainy and fresh, it has spicy, mineral-laced fruit and a long, lifted finish. I love this wine for its full flavor, juicy appeal and sensitive price point.”
2020 Old Vine Riesling – 92 Points – “The 2020 Old Vine Riesling comes from very old dry-farmed, head-pruned vines in San Benito County. It is exotic and perfumed with white peach, lilac, manuka honey and petrol scents. The palate is lushly fruited and mouth coating, which gives it a sense of sweetness, although it is technically dry. It has a spine of racy acidity and finishes long and full of flavor.”
2020 Old Vine Rosé – 92 Points – “Medium cherry-pink in color, the 2020 Old Vine Rosé offers fresh berry and melon fruit with notes of baker’s yeast, citrus and flowers. The palate is fully fruited and fresh, with a touch of texture anchoring the finish.”
