Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc

TASTING NOTES

Just the right elements combine together in California’s Dry Creek Valley for growing world-renowned Sauvignon Blanc. Subtle aromas of bright citrus and fresh cut grass characterize this graceful wine. This crisp wine embodies a roundness on the palate but is nicely balanced out by snappy grapefruit and green apple acidity.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Stainless-steel fermented at 60 degrees Fahrenheit without Malolactic fermentation.

THE REGION

Located in the foothills of the Pacific Coast range, Dry Creek Valley in Northern Sonoma County lies to the north and west of the Russian River Valley. Characterized by a long, warm growing season, this appellation delivers balanced, aromatic and delightful Sauvignon Blanc – the most prized grape of Dry Creek Valley.

FOOD PAIRING

Our Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect compliment to seared scallops with a side of asparagus.

ABV 13.6%

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Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

TASTING NOTES

Our Criterion Sauvignon Blanc is true to terroir, full of tropical citrus notes that are balanced by undertones of minerality. The flavors open up to crisp mouthwatering acidity that carries through to a clean finish.

WINEMAKING NOTES

The grapes were harvested at night and gently pressed for 24 hours for cold settling. Fermentation occurred in 100% Stainless-steel tanks at 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

THE REGION

The small yet geographically diverse wine growing region of Marlborough in New Zealand is celebrated for intensely flavorful wines that boast an expressive, bright character.

FOOD PAIRING

Pairs wonderfully with Halibut in lemon butter, oysters and quinoa salad.

ABV 12.5%

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Friuli Pinot Grigio

TASTING NOTES

This Italian Pinot Grigio brings forth bright aromas of white pear. Crisp and refreshing apple is gracefully finished with a delectable and light acidity.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Stainless steel fermented at 63-65 degrees Fahrenheit, then aged in stainless steel tanks for a minimum of 2 months.

THE REGION

Friuli has built a glowing reputation in Italy for white wines. The Friulian style favors exquisitely fresh and fruity wines with delicate fragrance and flavor that expresses clear varietal character. The amphitheater of the Southern Alps is an optimal climate with humid sub-Mediterranean temperatures, airflow from east to west that cool the grapes, and rains carried in from the Adriatic Sea.

FOOD PAIRING

This Pinot Grigio pairs well alongside a creamy seafood pasta or mushroom risotto.

ABV 12.5%

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Chablis

TASTING NOTES

Criterion Chablis is a classic showcase of this beautiful appellation. Your senses are welcomed by the pleasing floral and citrus aromas, followed by balanced and thirst-quenching flavors of pear, lemon, acidity and minerality. The finish is lingering and tingly with incredible elegance.

WINEMAKING NOTES

The fermentation method is traditional and aging is only in stainless steel to preserve the mineral purity of this elegant style of Chardonnay.

THE REGION

The vineyards are located to the far north of France’s Burgundy region around the small village of Chablis, planted on chalky slopes famously known as ‘Kimmeridgian’ due to the high fossil content.

FOOD PAIRING

This Chablis pairs well with oysters, shellfish and a variety of aromatic dishes.

ABV 12.5%

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Napa Valley Chardonnay

TASTING NOTES

WINEMAKING NOTES

THE REGION

FOOD PAIRING

Our Napa Valley Chardonnay pairs well with seafood paella, roasted pork or cheddar cheese.

ABV 13.5%

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Beaujolais-Villages Gamay

TASTING NOTES

 

Juicy strawberry notes stand out from a pleasing mixture of both red and black fruit aromas  A fresh acidity and fine tannin structure are followed by an elegant finish that lingers delightfully on the palate.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Gamay was pressed into temperature controlled stainless steel tanks where yeast was added and primary fermentation began.  After racking and pressing down the wine, Malolactic fermentation occurs, which gives the wine its velvety allure.

THE REGION

Beaujolais-Villages, known for its hilly terrain and granite soils, produces fruit forward, easy-drinking wines with a complex minerality.

FOOD PAIRING

Coq au vin, charcuterie, Marcona almonds.

ABV 12.5%

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Central Otago Pinot Noir

TASTING NOTES

New Zealand’s Central Otago region is known for its stunning landscape and spectacular Pinot Noir. Our Criterion Pinot Noir expresses the classic characteristics of this flagship wine with cherry and spice aromas, followed by refined blackberry flavors and subtle leather and floral notes.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Grapes are rushed into open-top fermentation tanks and punched down for 7 days. Then juice is pressed off the skins and aged 10 months in 100% French oak barrels.

THE REGION

Central Otago is the world’s southernmost wine region, located on New Zealand’s South Island in the southeast corner, where the hot summers, cold winters and long dry autumns alongside with mineral filled soils allow for a fantastic terroir that provides the perfect sustenance for exquisite wines. The amazing purity and complexity the terroir exhibits are captured in Criterion Pinot Noir.

FOOD PAIRING

Our Otago Pinot Noir pairs perfectly next to a lobster with pea ravioli or salmon and wild mushroom risotto.

ABV 13.7%

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Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

TASTING NOTES

Our Criterion Pinot Noir displays bright, red fruit, lively acidity and a silky tannin structure that adds to its depth of texture.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Grapes are harvested before dawn, which allows for cool fermentation to preserve rich fruit flavors. Regular pumpovers and a secondary fermentation reduce acidity while maintaining juicy mouthfeel. The wine is finished with a medium toast French oak.

THE REGION

The expressive terroir of Russian River Valley is the result of optimal sunlight, volcanic soils and early morning fog. These elements harmonize to produce wines with multi-layered complexity.

FOOD PAIRING

Pairs wonderfully with Pork Tenderloin, maple-glazed salmon and polenta.

ABV 13.8%

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Chianti Classico

TASTING NOTES

Chianti is as old as winemaking itself, and our Chianti Classico comes from the very roots of its Tuscan birthplace. Reflecting the legendary terrain that surrounds it, this Criterion finesses big ripe flavors and subtle floral bouquets to create a wine of profound beauty.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Fermented in stainless steel for 12 days in a controlled temperature at 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit using classic maceration Aged for 3 months in oak barrels and an additional 6 months in stainless steel.

THE REGION

Chianti Classico is the heart of the Chianti region situated between Florence and Sienna. Criterion Chianti Classico is grown on the beautiful western foothills of the Apennines at an altitude of 1,148 ft-1,640 ft. This region exhibits long, dry summers, and the rolling hills allow for varied terroirs allowing for the most optimal flavors to be present in our Chianti.

FOOD PAIRING

This Chianti Classico pairs well with lightly breaded pork chops alongside creamy potatoes au Gratin.

ABV 13.5%

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Carménère Reserva, Chile

TASTING NOTES

The southernmost region of Chile’s Colchagua Valley is famed for its rugged cowboys and full-bodied reds. Our Criterion Carménère captures this Andean spirit with a generous balance of black and red berries, hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and a savory touch of dark chocolate

WINEMAKING NOTES

Hand harvested in plastic cases, 15 to 37 day maceration.

THE REGION

Located 110 miles south of Santiago, the southernmost portion of the Rapel Valley is one of Chile’s best known wine regions and has earned much applause for its full-bodied Carmenere.

FOOD PAIRING

Criterion Carménère Reserva pairs beautifully alongside herb-roasted lamb chops with roasted fingerling potatoes .

ABV 13.0%

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Barolo DOCG

TASTING NOTES

Criterion Barolo DOCG is an experience akin to that of the most classic of Barolos. The color is light to medium with garnet tones and hints of rich bronze, leading to a brick orange rim. Aromas of wild red fruits overlaid with rose and tarry notes are joined harmoniously with scents of dried herbs, leather, truffle, and sweet spice. On the palate the flavor is rich and full in body with luscious red fruit, firm acid and velvety tannins, all which lead to a silky and luxuriously long finish.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Fermented in stainless steel for 15 days in a controlled temperature at 72-78 ˚F using classic maceration. Aged for 24-months in Slovenian oak casks and French barriques.

THE REGION

Barolo DOCG, the highest appellation in Italy, is considered to be one of the finest of all the Italian red wines, and is commonly referred to as the “King” of Italian red wine. The vineyards for the Criterion Barolo DOCG are located on hillsides in Barolo-Monteforte and Serralunga, which is 7-miles southwest of Alba in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy. The climate is continental, with an extended summer and autumn, enabling the late ripening and temperamental Nebbiolo to achieve its perfect ripeness.

FOOD PAIRING

This Barolo pairs well with Osso buco, rabbit gnocchi and Italian cheeses.

ABV 14.5%

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Rioja Reserva, DOCa Rioja, Spain

TASTING NOTES

Criterion Rioja Reserva exhibits a bright ruby color with a deep purple garnet rim. Rich flavors of black cherry compote, blackberry, and plum fruit are accompanied by leather, tobacco, vanilla and baking spices from very well-integrated oak. This beautifully structured wine is a classic example of Rioja Reserva from an exceptional vintage.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Fermented in stainless steel tanks with temperature control; maceration for 14 days. Aged for 24 months in American (70%) and French (30%) oak barrels.

THE REGION

The Rioja region is one of the highest quality regions in Spain. The Sierra de Cantabria protects the vines from the harsh rain-bearing winds of the Atlantic as well as producing rich limestone soils allowing for a beautiful terroir resulting in rich and enticing wine. Rioja’s warm 2015 vintage allowed the grapes to ripen enough to maintain structure, balance, and integration with the extended oak aging of the Reserva level wines. This wine is 100% Tempranillo sourced from various sites across the Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa sub-regions, perfectly capturing the varying microclimates and expressions of the Tempranillo grapes.

FOOD PAIRING

Our Criterion Rioja pairs well next to a spicy seafood paella or with stuffed Portobello mushrooms.

ABV 13.5%

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Mendoza Malbec

TASTING NOTES

On the Andean bench lands of Mendoza’s Uco Valley, we found the Criterion for Argentinean Malbec, where high elevation and a long growing season concentrate generous flavors of berry, delicate aromas of warm spice, and a stunning deep purple hue.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Hand harvested in plastic cases, fermented for a minimum of 25 days at 74-77 degrees Fahrenheit with natural malolactic fermentation.

THE REGION

The Uco Valley is widely considered one of the top wine regions in Mendoza,as well as all of South America. The average temperature is 57.2 degrees Fahrenheit with altitudes of 2,950 to 3,930 feet above sea level. The combination of geography and optimal climate allows for an ideal Malbec. The optimal climate and geographical elements results in wines that are deep in color and rich in flavor.

FOOD PAIRING

Our Mendoza Malbec pairs beautifully with braised beef short ribs and a side of roasted vegetables.

ABV 14.6%

 

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Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

TASTING NOTES

A marriage of rich terra rossa soil, pure underground water and a long, cool ripening season made Australia’s tiny Coonawarra region the birthplace of world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. Complex in character with an inky hue, this Criterion explores flavors of current, eucalyptus and black plum.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Aged for 10 months in second used French and American oak.

THE REGION

Coonawarra is renowned as one of Australia’s finest wine regions and is particularly known for producing world class red wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. Its secret lies in a magical marriage of rich red terra rossa soil, limestone, pure underground water and a long, cool ripening season for the grapes. Today, Coonawarra vineyard land is prized like a precious gem. The cigar-shaped strip of ‘terra rossa’ is finite,only 13 miles long and 1 mile wide, and is all taken up by vineyards.

FOOD PAIRING

Our Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra taste great when paired alongside pan-seared strip steak and truffled mashed potatoes.

ABV 13.4%

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Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

TASTING NOTES

WINEMAKING NOTES

THE REGION

FOOD PAIRING

Our Cabernet Sauvignon from Chalk Hill is a wonderful accompaniment to flame seared rib eye, lamb shank and roasted root vegetables.

ABV 13.4%

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Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

TASTING NOTES

In celebration of Rutherford’s distinguished terroir, our velvety Cabernet Sauvignon reveals the classic “Rutherford Dust” and aromas of baked blackberry, espresso and cigar box. Richly layered with hints of chocolate covered cherries, further enhanced by dusty character and fresh herbs.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak barrels with medium to medium-plus toast levels. Fermented to dryness prior to pressing. Aged in barrel with malolactic fermentation to further enhance complexity. Barrels were racked 4 times during the first year of aging.

THE REGION

Rutherford, a Napa Valley sub-appellation covering roughly 6 square miles of the valley floor, takes advantage of its position at the widest point of the valley, giving vineyards the opportunity to bask in unimpeded sunlight. This allows grapes reach optimal ripeness while retaining balanced tannins and acidity. Coveted soils impart the dusty characteristic Rutherford is famous for into the world-renowned wines that hail from this region.

FOOD PAIRING

Pairs wonderfully with prime steak, smoked ribs and sautéed mushrooms.

ABV 15.5%

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