A wine score is the quickest, simplest way for a critic to communicate their opinion about the quality of wine presented to them. Often found alongside tasting notes, wine scores and awards, help consumers and collectors decide which wines to buy. Wineries are extremely proud of these scores that they receive as they provide external validation of the wines that they produce with such passion. We at CellarStash are honored to have many critically loved wineries on our platform. We wanted to share some of our award-winners with you so you too can experience these phenomenal wines.
Refund Policy
CellarStash does not accept returns. If any wine fails to live up to your own expectations, we can issue store credit for that bottle to ensure that you always have a top-of-the-line experience.
Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any further questions or concerns regarding our shipping policies -Contact Us.
WINEMAKER: Tim Lovett REGION: Margaret River, Western Australia VARIETALS: Chardonnay MATURATION: 10 months in 100% French oak barriques (40% new) ANALYSIS: 13.5% alc/vol | 7.51 g/L TA | 3.24 pH
VINTAGE: After a typically wet winter, flowering in all varieties was approximately ten days earlier than in vintage 2017. Spring was met by generally mild conditions, with the usual showery and sunny periods resulting in excellent set across most varieties. Summer was warm with very few hot days, and veraison occurred two weeks earlier than in 2017. 2018 was a spectacular year for flowering of the local Marri trees, which kept birds distracted from the ripening vineyards. Harvest commenced in the Riesling in the middle of February, followed by Chardonnay a week later.
WINEMAKING: Cool crushed fruit with some skin contact. The juice was settled for three days, racked and inoculated with yeast. 100% of the juice was barrel fermented in French barriques and the lees stirred regularly. After ten months in barrel the various components were blended, fined, cold stabilized and bottled.
TASTING NOTES: Heightened floral notes of jasmine, frangipani, chamomile and cardamom meet with the classical pear, lime and lemon fruit spectrum. The nose has energy with delicate complexity. Layers beneath the forefront include oyster shell, brioche and almond shell. The palate is finely woven and lively. The clarity of fruit is highlighted with lime curd, pear and pink grapefruit. Throughout, the palate has great shape and texture; layers of cassia, clove and cashew create dimension within the primary fruit core, The structure is held quite tight with a fine acid line and mineral thread.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM: 91 pts Robert Parker Wine Advocate
ABOUT LEEUWIN: After an extensive search in 1972 for the most suitable premium viticultural area in Australia, Robert Mondavi singled out the future site of Leeuwin Estate. Thrust into the international spotlight when their 1980 Art Series was awarded Decanter’s highest recommendation, the Estate has since performed with stellar consistency, the Horgan family defending their position as one of Australia’s leading wineries.
Materra Cunat Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Winemaking notes: Materra’s 2018 Sauvignon Blanc is an explosion of fruit fragrance such as passionfruit, guava, and pear. Florida citrus aromas of orange blossom and jasmine are also apparent on the nose.
After this bright introduction to the wine we find Meyer lemon zest added to the fruit medley on the palette. This citrus note is uplifted by the lively and crisp acidity, strengthened further by a nice mineral backbone.
This is a refreshing and bright Sauvignon Blanc that will be a treat during the hot summer months. Enjoy at your next summer barbecue as the bright acidity will mingle perfectly with a summer salad and your favorite barbecue chicken dishes.
Appellation: Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc Alcohol:14.2% Bottling Date: February 2019 Case Production: 830 Cases
Theopolis Vineyards Estate Grown Petite Sirah 2016:
Description: This Estate Grown Petite Sirah has a bouquet of delicious and ripe black fruit. The wine is full-bodied, rich, and flavorful on the palate with hints of black pepper, lavender, wild cherry, and black tea. It has fine tannins with a lovely depth and texture, creating a pure and smooth finish. This vintage will age beautifully for decades.
Varietal: 100% Petite Sirah HarvestDate: October 11, 2016 BottlingDate: July 21, 2018 Vinification: This vintage of our Petite Sirah was fermented in 0.75-ton bins, manually punched down, aged in 25% new and 75% neutral French oak barrels for 22 months, bottled unfined and unfiltered Alcohol:14% Color: Black-Purple Food Pairing Suggestions: Petite Sirah pairs well with barbecue, stews, braised and grilled beef, pot roast, veal, wild game, oxtails, charcuterie, lamb, sausage or dark chocolate Production: 280 Cases
Awards:
91 POINTS - WINE ENTHUSIAST
"This full-bodied wine adds smoky oaky peppery flavors to the grape variety's natural black-fruit and tannin combo for a rowdy, beefy personality that rivals a savory Syrah. The tannins feel tight, however, and the wine needs time to mellow. Best after 2024."
2018 Bronze Medal - San Francisco International Wine Competition
2019 Gold Medal - San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
REGION: Willamette Valley, Oregon VARIETALS: Pinot Noir (Clones: Pommard/Dijon 114/115/777) MATURATION: 12 months in 100% French oak (35% new) ANALYSIS: 13.6% alc/vol I TA: 4.8 I pH: 3.54
VINTAGE: 2015 was a nearly ideal growing season. It began with a warm winter and above average temperatures continued through the summer. Light scattered showers in late August and a return to normalcy in September gave a break to what was an intense growing season. The result was concentrated, balanced fruit throughout one of the driest and warmest vintages in Oregon’s winemaking history.
AVAs & VINEYARDS: Eola Amity - Eagle Crest, Eola Springs, Popcorn. McMinnville - Hyland. Willamette Valley - Croft. Yamhill Carlton - Bishop Creek, Fairsing, Gran Moraine, Stardance.
WINEMAKING: The Attaché is a barrel selection culled from both alluvial and volcanic vineyard sites. An indigenous, whole berry fermentation took place employing a gentle infusion technique to extract color and depth without excessive phenolics. The wine then matured for 12 months in French oak barriques, 35% of which were new.
TASTING NOTES: Vibrant aromas of wild berries, dried fl owers and sage with touches of spice and woodsmoke. The palate fi lls the mouth with fl eshy red fruits, cherry cola and earthy layers. Gentle tannins provide a structured yet soft frame to the fruit which is kept in line by a satisfying minerality. The wine fi nishes long with clarity and focus.
ABOUT MAISON L’ENVOYÉ: Driven by a tireless hunt for elusive sites where Pinot Noir shines, Maison L’Envoyé, ‘The House of the Messenger’ traverses the globe with the intention of presenting the acme of regionality and winemaking styles. With winemaking footprints in Burgundy, Willamette Valley, Central Otago and Tasmania, they champion many unsung growers who have farmed their vineyards for decades and generations, some mere feet away from more illustriously cited neighbors. This project has been a standout since its debut in 2011 including Wine & Spirits naming Maison L’Envoyé a ‘Winery To Watch’ in 2015.
The 2013 vintage: Napa Valley exhibited textbook weather for grape growing in 2013. The year started off with healthy winter rains which led into a warm, dry spring and brought an early bud break with ideal growing conditions. The extended heat spike in early July made summer temperatures consistently warm, allowing the grapes to mature steadily and develop complex flavors. The general consensus from our winemakers and staff is 2013 is an "oh wow" year.
Accolades: 91 Points; Wine and Spirits 90 Points; Wine Spectator
Winemaking notes: With a backbone of our estate-grown Merlot, this classic Right Bank blend exhibits black cherry, currant, and dusty cedar. With a uniquely floral nose, orange blossom, honeysuckle, dried cherries, and chalky tannins, this well-balanced wine will continue to age nicely over the next 7-10 years. Pair with seasonal vegetables, pot roast, pork loin, smoked meats, and cheese like gouda.
Appellation: Napa Valley Varietal:99.44% Merlot, .56 Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol:14.5% Bottling Date:May 2015 Case Production: 834 Cases Oak Aging:18 months Oak Cooperage:French Oak, 75% New, 25% Once Filled Winemakers:Michael Trujillo & Bruce Regalia
Zinfandel | Mother Clone v.2018 SONOMA COUNTY, DRY CREEK VALLEY
Mother Clone Vineyard Sources: Pedroncelli’s historic Zinfandel vineyards are situated on the hillsides surrounding the winery. They are located on the ranch originally purchased by John Pedroncelli Sr. in 1927 and planted to Zinfandel since 1904. The vines are head-pruned and hand-picked, a second-generation vineyard cloned from the original “Mother” vines. The individual blocks were replanted in the early 1980s. The fruit from the remaining 110-year-old vines, although a small part, is included. We also source from Bushnell and Faloni, both longtime Zinfandel vineyards.
Winemaking: Zinfandel from the 2018 vintage was harvested the third week of September. A solid winter of rain gave the vineyards a great start. Summer was cooler with no prolonged heat. These cooler temperatures slowed the ripening of the grapes giving them great development and an even growing season. With an uneventful harvest, Zinfandel shows ripe flavors, bright acidity, and wonderful aromatics.
At the crush pad, destemmed grapes are transferred to a fermentation tank to cold soak for 48 hours and then is inoculated with selected yeast. Daily pump-overs and fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with delestage regimes are done for maximum phenolic extraction. Pressing follows and the new wine is transferred to storage tanks until barreled down. Twelve months of aging in American oak barrels develop additional complexity. The addition of Petite Sirah (10%) adds depth of color and brings structure to the blend.
Tasting Notes: Our Mother Clone is a classic ‘Dry Creek’ Zinfandel with aromas of ripe blackberries and a touch of warm baking spices. This Zin is plump with jammy berry flavors combined with a touch of black pepper spice and notes of vanilla, and toasty oak. The spicy-berry dynamic so typical of Dry Creek Zin combines round tannins and a long, spicy finish which are a hallmark of our style. Enjoy now or cellar for three to five years.
APPELLATION: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County BARREL AGING: 12 months in American Oak, 30% new oak ALCOHOL: 14.8% pH: 3.57 TOTAL ACIDITY: .573g/100m
Bright blackberry and boysenberry supported by a nice balance of underlying acidity. Pleasant flavors of tobacco, coffee, vanilla, and earth complement the fruit. The components are well-integrated resulting in a persistent mouth-feel backed by dry tannin.
AWARDS:
Washington Tasting Room91-94pts
"Deep aromas of black fruit, pencil shavings and bits of tar lead to polished flavors of blackberry, black plum, tobacco, cedar and notes of vanilla. Well-poised acidity balances effortlessly with thick tannins that grip the finish"
Beverage Tasting Institute 91 pts
" Violet color. Aromas and flavors of chocolate mint cookie and frosted cherry tart with a vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and an intriguing, medium-long finish with fine, chewy tannins and light oak flavor. An affable and juicy cabernet pleaser."
Wine Advocate: 92 pts
"Full and rich on the nose, the palate is bold and structured with ripe tannins, showing good focus, balance, weight and complexity across the mid-palate, with still-chewy tannins that linger on the long finish of this juicy cabernet"
With savory aromas and deep luscious color, this much-loved wine strokes your palate with flavors of dark cherry, blackberry, and cassis. The thick velvety texture gives way to toasty oak and finishes with just a hint of chocolate. Enjoy with your favorite grilled meats.
Varietal: 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Petite Sirah, 17% Syrah, 14% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot, 4% Malbec Farming Practices: Sustainable Appellation: Moon Mountain District - Sonoma Valley Region: Estate Grown, Caton Vineyard Aging and Oak: 20 months, 50% New French Oak Alcohol: 15.4% Production: 343 Cases Vintage: 2017 Released: June 2019
“DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL”! - San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
