Winemaker Notes
This California Rhône-style red wine hails from the Dry Stack Vineyard. Unlike most California Grenache, this fruit is able to retain idyllic freshness that supports a very dense mid-palate, making Cuvee Moriah a dynamic and irresistible wine.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
A Chateauneuf-du-Pape inspired blend of 64% Grenache, 24% Mourvèdre and 12% Syrah, Moriah was not made in 2011 but roars back to life in 2012 light ruby red in color and fully refined in rose petal aromatics. Integrated and subtle, it's focused in bright red fruit and layered white pepper.
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Jeb Dunnuck
A step back from the 2013, yet still outstanding, the 2012 Cuvee Moriah (64% Grenache, 24% Mourvèdre and 12% Syrah) offers a Pinot Noir like perfume of ripe cherries, blackberries, ground herbs and hints of cured meats. This medium-bodied, supple, elegant effort has a good core of fruit, a savory, meaty style (probably from the higher Mourvèdre content), notable tannin and a good finish. Drink bottles through 2022.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Their Rhône Ranger cuvées include five Syrah selections and a Grenache/Mourvèdre/Syrah blend, Cuvée Moriah. The 2012 Cuvée Moriah, which is 64% Grenache, 23% Mourvèdre and 12% Syrah, represents 600 cases, tipping the scales at 14.8% alcohol. It was fermented with indigenous yeasts and includes 80% whole clusters, only 17% new oak was used. This is a lovely, sexy wine with lots of kirsch liqueur, lavender, bouquet garni, licorice and pepper. It's medium-bodied, velvety textured, lush and is meant to be a balanced interpretation of a California version of Châteauneuf du Pape. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
With boundaries overlapping the Sonoma Coast AVA and Sonoma Mountain AVA, Bennett Valley benefits from the cooling effects of the nearby Pacific Ocean just like its neighbors. Top grapes planted include Barbera, Pinot noir and Chardonnay, as well as Bordeaux and Rhone varieties.