2610, 2011
Cantina Tollo Listed In Wine & Spirits As Top Co-Op
CANTINA TOLLO "Located in Central Italy's Abruzzo region, Cantina Tollo is a first-level co-op, where the farmers are also the owners of the company. It was founded in 1960 [...]
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As former winemaster of Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Walter Schug was a pioneer of botrytis affected late harvest Rieslings in the 1970's. This bottling under his own SCHUG label reflects nearly 60 years of winemaking experience in both the US and Germany. Botrytis cinerea, the noble rot, affected the grapes after late season rains, concentrating the sugar while leaving the acidity in perfect balance. It has pronounced flavors of apricot and spiced pears, with a high residual sugar content that is balanced by a refreshing burst of acidity on the finish. It is the perfect match for delicate desserts, including almond cookies, crème brûlée and poached pears. -
From 1973 to 1982, Walter Schug made some of the most memorable Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux-style blends in California history as the founding winemaker for Joseph Phelps Vineyards. His own Bordeaux blend exhibits the same finesse, intensity and ability to age that have made his earlier wines valuable collectors items. Cabernet Sauvignon from the valley floor and Carneros Merlot compliment the well structured fruit from Rancho Salina, a volcanic soil vineyard high above the Sonoma Valley in the southern end of the Mayacamas Mountains. It has dense color and structure, bright aromas of violets and blueberries, and ripe fruit flavors reminiscent of cherries, chocolate and cassis. Well-integrated tannins, oak and acidity give it a rich texture and a long, elegant finish. It drinks well on release paired with rich meats and cheeses, and will reward cellaring for 10 or more years. -
Schug's Heritage Reserve Merlot is blended in the Bordeaux tradition using Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon for maximum complexity. The Merlot is sourced from the cool Carneros region, where the extremely long growing season allows this varietal to ripen slowly, developing maximum varietal character and depth of flavor while retaining bright acidity. It has a spicy bouquet of lavender and mint, rich deep color and full-bodied flavors of cherry, cassis and chocolate. Try it now with lamb, duck and rich cheeses, or age it for 5 to 7 years. -
This classically structured Merlot is crafted in the Bordeaux style that Walter Schug pioneered in California while wine master of Joseph Phelps Vineyards (1973 to 1983). The Merlot grapes were grown on the Sangiacomo Vineyard in the Carneros district of southern Sonoma Valley. This cooler microclimate provides the longer growing season necessary for Merlot to ripen slowly and develop maximum flavor. Added complexity comes from a blending judicious amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grown on the Rancho Salina and Horne vineyards farther north in Sonoma Valley. It has a spicy bouquet, deep color and exhibits full-bodied flavors of cherry, blackberry and spice. Try it now with grilled fish, pasta, lamb and steaks, or cellar it for 5 to 7 years. - This classic Carneros region Pinot Noir offers a wide range of flavors and aromas, in the tradition of the finest red Burgundies of France. "Clonal diversity" is achieved by carefully blending several vineyard lots, each retaining its own unique clonal signature in the blend. The result is a complex wine with a rich bouquet of cherries, berries and hints of spicy new oak. It has flavors reminiscent of black cherry, currant and strawberry, followed by a rich, spicy texture and a long silky finish. This wine pairs nicely with lamb, duck, even grilled fish, and will improve with additional cellaring for 2 to 5 years.
- This 100% Pinot Noir cuvee is from grapes grown within the cool microclimate of the Sonoma Coast AVA, on select vineyards in the western portion of Carneros and the Petaluma Gap. The cool windy climate and low yield of these vineyards allow Pinot Noir grapes to mature slowly while retaining their natural acidity, with bright flavors of red cherries, raspberries and spice. Showcasing the elegant side of Pinot Noir by aging in large neutral oak casks and older French oak barrels to keep new oak flavors to a minimum. Lively acidity on the finish makes it an ideal accompaniment to grilled fish and fowl or barbecued meats.
- Schug set aside the finest barrel lots of their Carneros Pinot Noir for extended aging to create our "Heritage Reserve" Pinot Noir. Each vineyard lot was chosen to express its own individuality in harmony with the final blend. The result is a limited bottling that is as rich and powerful as it is graceful and charming. A bouquet reminiscent of roses, warm cherries and Kirsch liqueur leads to rich flavors of black cherry, cranberry, and hints of lavender, all finishing with hints of tobacco and spicy new oak. This wine is perfect for the collector's cellar, and will continue to age gracefully for up to 10 years.
- From Pinot Noir grapes. It’s rare to find a California bubbly this red in color. Opens with bright and expressive cherry, vanilla and yeast aromas, and turns rich in cherry fruit in the mouth. Unusually full-bodied for a sparkling wine, but very fine.
- This classic Carneros Chardonnay was grown on Schug's own cool-climate Estate vineyard, as well as the Ricci, Cornerstone, Wildcat, Sangiacomo, Leveroni and Iund Vineyards. It was barrel fermented and aged on the lees (sur-lie) in small French oak barrels, with minimal new oak introduced. Malo-lactic fermentation was not induced, allowing the wine to retain its natural acidity and varietal focus. The result is a wine that is both rich and powerful, while refreshing and elegant on the finish. It has a ripe, spicy tropical bouquet with flavors that suggest citrus, pear and spiced apples. Well-balanced acidity gives it a crisp, clean finish, making it an excellent wine with food. Try it with cream soups, rich seafood, fowl, veal and pasta dishes.
- Schug crafted this Chardonnay from select vineyards located in the Sonoma Coast appellation, including the microclimates of western Carneros, southern Sonoma Valley and the Petaluma Gap. Produced in a lively, crisp style that emphasizes varietal character without the use of new oak, it has a spicy citrus bouquet that leads to juicy flavors of white peach and nectarine, followed by a sleek, juicy finish. Try it as an elegant aperitif paired with hors d'oeuvres, or with lighter dishes such as soups, salads, seafood and pasta dishes.
- This well-balanced Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from cooler vineyards in the southern end of the Sonoma Coast AVA. The Hi-Vista vineyard in western Carneros and the Grossi vineyard north of Petaluma contribute spice and bright tangy acidity. The Leveroni vineyard south of Sonoma contributes the unique floral character of the Sauvignon "musque" clone, with lush fruit flavors reminiscent of melon, honeysuckle and grapefruit. These flavors are enhanced by the creamy richness of fermentation and aging on the yeast in older (neutral) casks. It finishes with a lively acidity that makes it an ideal accompaniment to a wide range of soups, salads and shellfish dishes.
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Schug's "Heritage Reserve" Chardonnay features separately vinified blocks of Their Estate vineyard, blended for maximum complexity. Each block contributes a unique clonal and microclimate signature to the blend. The resulting wine shows intense fruit aromas of ripe pear and orange liqueur, complemented by toasty oak. Complex pear, apple and citrus flavors give way to a full-bodied texture and a long finish.