ACCLAIM

2009 Wrath Syrah, Fairview Vineyard

International Wine Review, October 2011
Rating 91+ pts " A beautiful Syrah and perhaps our most favorite wine of the entire Wrath portfolio, this wine shows abundant fruit, but it's the roast meat, earth, chocolate and black pepper that provide the complexity that makes this wine so enjoyable. It's rich, focused, and finishes very long. Absolutely first rate! " IWR Tasting Panel

 Wine Enthusiast Magazine, December 2011
Rating 90 pts "This wine is full-bodied and extraordinarily rich, with massive blackberry and blueberry jam, Canadian bacon, sandalwood, and pepper flavors. It's so sweetly delicious, you just want to keep on drinking". Steve Heimoff      

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 2011 
Rating 90 pts "Inky purple. Intense aromas of dark berry preserves, olive tapenade, violet and cracked pepper. Sappy, palate staining blackberry and mulberry flavors are complicated by notes of licorice and bitter chocolate, with a smoky nuance in the background. Finishes with good clarity and a suave lingering touch of candied flowers." Josh Raynolds  www.wineaccess.com/tanzer   

Rhone Report, December 2011                                                                                                                                             Rating 92 pts "Similar to the Doctor's Syrah with its edgy acidity and more tight feel, the 2009 Wrath Syrah Fairview Vineyard (100% Syrah aged for 10 months in 30% new French oak) carries superb aromatics of black currant, blackberry, violet, lavender, smoked meats, and wet stone like minerality on the nose. This is followed by a full-bodied Syrah that has excellent purity of fruit, integrated acidity, and a fair amount of fine-grained tannin that emerges on the finish. It should benefit from another year or two in bottle, and have a solid 5-8 years of prime drinking." Jeb Dunnuck

2009 Wrath Syrah, Doctor's Vineyard

Rhone Report, December 2011
Rating 91 pts "Coming from some of the highest elevation vines in the Santa Lucia Highlands, the 2009 Wrath Syrah Doctor's is 100% Syrah that's aged for 11 months in 30% new French oak. Showing violets, smoked meat, black pepper, and olive-like characteristics on the nose, this gorgeously put together wine fleshes out on the palate with a full-bodied, rich, fleshy texture, notable balance, vibrant acidity, fine tannin, and a long, classically styled finish." Jeb Dunnuck

International Wine Review, October 2011
Rating 91 pts “The Doctor's Vineyard Syrah is an elegant wine that is fully flavored palate and of excellent volume. Dark plum, smoke and graphite show on the nose with an addition of violets and blue fruit on the palate. Delicious." IWR Tasting Panel

2009 Wrath Pinot Noir, San Saba Vineyard  

Wine Spectator, March 2012
Rating 93 pts "Combines density with structure, depth and finesse, built around tiers of wild berry, blueberry, cola and loamy earth, ending with a long, layered finish." James Laube

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 2011
Rating 90 pts "Medium Red. Highly perfumed aromas of red and dark berries, Asian spices and vanilla. Lush, sappy, and energetic, offering gently sweet black raspberry and cherry flavors complicated by suave rose pastille and baking spice qualities. Finishes silky and long, with lingering spiciness and good cut." Josh Raynolds  www.wineaccess.com/tanzer

International Wine Review, October 2011
Rating 90 pts "The San Saba Pinot Noir is a beautiful intensely flavored, juicy wine with a long, long finish. A melange of dark cherry, loam and some oak suffuse the palate." IWR Tasting Panel  

2009 Wrath Pinot Noir, McIntyre Vineyard

Wine Spectator, March 2012
Rating 93 pts "Rich-textured, deep and firm, with complex boysenberry, blackberry and wild berry fruit that’s tight, focused, structured and persistent, gaining nicely on the finish, where the berry flavors are
persistent." James Laube

Burghound, January 2012
Rating 91 pts "A moderately high-toned nose offers up notes of mostly red berry fruit liqueur aromas that are liberally sprinkled with top notes of cranberry and lavender. There is excellent delineation to the balanced and impressively persistent finish that also delivers fine depth. This is lovely and while it could be drunk now I would advise holding it for a few more years first." Allen Meadows

International Wine Review, October 2011
Rating 92 pts "The McIntyre Vineyard Pinot Noir is the most focused and well-structured of the numerous Pinot Noirs offered by Wrath. It shows hugely concentrated fruit with spice notes on the nose and palate along with a somewhat leaner mouthfeel and firm tannins. It's made of 100% 115 clone and sees about 45% new oak and 20% whole cluster fermentation. Delicious." IWR Tasting Panel

 

2009 Wrath Pinot Noir, 115/667

Gold Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2012

 Wine Spectator, December 2011
Rating 90 pts "Sleek and well structured, with a dash of cola joining the ripe cherry and berry fruit, this fans out nicely and gains complexity and depth without weight." James Laube

International Wine Review, October 2011
Rating 91 pts "This blend of the 115 and 667 Pinot Noir clones exhibits intense fruit and fatness on a full, round palate that reveals dark cherry, earth, and a hint of stems. It sees 45% new oak and 20% whole cluster fermentation. Finishes with a nice length and notable purity." IWR Tasting Panel

2009 Wrath Pinot Noir, Pommard 4/777

Gold Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2012

Wine Spectator, December 2011
Rating 91 pts "A firmer, tighter expression of Pinot, with an emphasis on Pommard clones, this nonetheless delivers a complex mix of savory herb, berry, cola and light oak shadings, with the fruit gradually working through the tannins and gaining the upper hand." James Laube

International Wine Review, October 2011
Rating 91 pts "Although this blend of Pommard 4 and 777 clones sees the same 45% new oak as the 115/667 blend and just slightly (30%) more whole cluster fermentation, it reveals more assertive savory earth, stem and light vanilla notes. It shows concentrated fruit on a velvet palate." IWR Tasting Panel  

2009 Wrath Chardonnay, Fermata

Double Gold  San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2012

International Wine Review, October 2011
Rating 91 pts "This solid yellow Chardonnay is not allowed to complete secondary malo fermenation, thus the name Fermata. The wine shows a rich, complex nose and flavors of ripe tropical fruit, hazelnut and coconut with bright acidity. Made from a barrel selection of old Wente clones, it's aged in 55 percent new French oak. Delicious, in the California style." IWR Tasting Panel 

"Full blown, almost over the top, but somehow still elegant. Insanely delicious." Winethropology, SM 11/9/11

2008 Wrath Chardonnay, San Saba Vineyard

Wine Spectator, July 2010
Rating 91 pts “Supperich and concentrated, ripe and fleshy, delivering a medley of honeydew melon, hazelnut, fig and apricot. Full-bodied, gaining depth and richness, ending with a honeyed aftertaste.”        —James Laube

International Wine Review, July 2010
Rating 92+ pts "The dark yellow straw San Saba Vineyard Chardonnay is Fermata plus. It's fermented in 70 percent new oak and shows a lemon marmalade-like nose with a hint of smoke. The palate is unctous, dense with rich tropical flavors of mango, coconut and even a dulce de leche note. A gorgeous, opulent wine that is wonderful to sip but requires very careful pairing with food."
—Donald Winkler

2008 Wrath Pinot Noir, San Saba Vineyard 

Wine of the Year, Best of Show, Best Red  Monterey Wine Competition 2011

The Wine Enthusiast, November 2010
Rating 90 pts “The vineyard bears only a Monterey appellation, but the location is strategically close to both the Santa Lucia Highlands and the Arroyo Seco. The wine is quite good, racy in acidity and dry. It offers complex flavors of strawberries and cherries, with earthier notes of sauteed wild mushrooms and mulch. A real success, and a wine that will pick up bottle complexity over the next 4-5 years.”
—Steve Heimoff
 

Wine Review Online, September 2010
Rating 91 pts "Rare is the California Pinot Noir that exploits the lean, wild side of this unique grape rather than the plump lushness typical of Pinot grown in the famously intense California sun. While Wrath's San Saba Pinot is still absurdly young, its smoky, meaty, mushroomy elements will still satisfy palates that yearn for a hint of the untamed feral flavors true Pinot lovers crave. This is not, however, one of those pale, skeletal wines many enophiles seek out in Burgundy, for Wrath's Pinot is awash in concentrated cherry and strawberry elements embeded in layers of silky tannins"
— Marguerite Thomas
 

2009 Wrath Sauvignon Blanc, San Saba Vineyard  

Recommended ... Central Coast Sauvignon Blancs, 9/12/2010
one of only six recommended "a grassy, more herbal style, with gooseberry and honeydew aromas and flavors. Very light on its feet."
—Lynne Char Bennett, SF Chronicle staff writer

International Wine Review, July 2010
Rating 89 pts "An enticing combination of bracing New Zealand-like pungent gooseberry and tropical California fruit typical of the Musque clone. The nose is clean with mineral and gooseberry notes, while the palate is full-flavored and round. It finishes clean, long, and crisp. A very well made wine."
—Donald Winkler

2009 Wrath Ex Anima Chardonnay

International Wine Review, July 2010
Rating 91 pts “The Ex Anima Chardonnay is perhaps the most delicious un-wooded Chardonnay I've ever tasted and quite different from what one would expect, starting with its yellow straw-gold color.  It's mostly fermented in stainless steel with a small percent fermented in neutral oak with stirred lees, and it sees no malo. It's made from old vine, self-rooted Clone Four, which gives the wine its rich tropical mango nose.  There's an abundance of gorgeous, rich mango and pineapple fruit on the palate and a very long finish.  Huge for an un-wooded Chardonnay .”
—Donald Winkler

2008 Wrath Fermata Chardonnay

International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 2010
Rating 90 pts “Bright yellow.  Fresh orchard fruit and melon aromas are complicated by notes of smoky lees and honey, with a bright lemony note adding energy.  Juicy, expansive pear and honeydew flavors show fine depth and clarity, with gentle smokiness and oak spice on the back half.  For a deeply flavored wine this is pretty lithe.  Finishes with good citrus bite and lingering spiciness.”
—Josh Raynolds www.wineaccess.com/tanzer

Wine Spectator, August2010
Rating 89 pts “Firm, intense and complex, displaying spicy pineapple, melon, pear, and floral scents.  Full-bodied and elegant, with a persistent finish.  Drink now through 2014.”
—James Laube

International Wine Review, July 2010
Rating 92 pts “The opaque, purple Doctor's Vineyard Syrah is quite simply an exceptional wine- complex, rich, and deeply flavored.  Made from both free run and pressed juice and aged in about 30 percent new French oak, the wine shows dark cherry, chocolate, smoke, and savory meat on the nose.  It is smooth on the attack and full, ripe and rich on a beautifully balanced palate.  Even better than the 2007 vintage, in our opinion.”
—Donald Winkler

2007 Wrath Chardonnay, San Saba Vineyard 

The Wine Advocate, Issue #184
Rating 92 pts “The beautiful 2007 Chardonnay San Saba Vineyard exhibits notes of orange, lemon blossom, and citrus oil, a strong crushed rock-like minerality, medium to full body, and excellent acidity. While enjoyable now, I would not be surprised to see even more emerge after 6-12 more months of bottle age”
—Robert Parker

Restaurant Wine Issue #130
(4+ out of 5 Stars)
"Very ripely flavored and full bodied; this is rich, supple Chardonnay, with complex character (peach, vanilla, honey, roasted nut, spicy oak, sweet corn), and a very long finish."
— Ronn Wiegand

2007 Wrath Pinot Noir, San Saba Vineyard

The Wine Advocate Issue #184
Rating 91 pts “The dark ruby-hued 2007 Pinot Noir San Saba Vineyard reveals an attractive, Burgundian-styled beet root, black currant, and cherry-scented bouquet, medium to full body, silky tannin, good acids, and a real terroir character. It should drink well for 3-4 years."
— Robert Parker

2007 Wrath Syrah, Doctor's Vineyard

 The Wine Enthusiast, November 2009
Rating 94 pts "Syrah is the secret weapon of the Highlands  and Wrath has produced a very fine one in this massive '07.  Made in the Northern Rhone style, it's dark, full-bodied and dry, with rich flavors of blackberries, currants, beef jerky, dark chocolate, black pepper, violets and plenty of smoky oak.  Brilliant and compelling.  Now through 2013."
— Steve Heimoff

 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar  Nov/Dec '09
Rating 90 pts “Deep ruby.  Complex aromas of blackbery, violet, tobacco and smoky Indian spices.  Deep in flavor but not excessively weighty, offering sweet dark berry flavors and a note of bitter cherry.  Supple tannins add support and carry through the persistent, gently sweet and smoky finish.”
— Josh Raynolds www.wineaccess.com/tanzer

 The Wine Advocate Issue #184
Rating 89+ “A new producer for me, Wrath’s 2007 Syrah Doctor’s Vineyard offers a big, sweet kiss of meat juices intermixed with pepper, black currants, and spicy box. This deep ruby/purple-tinged, spicy, medium to full-bodied Syrah exhibits plenty of cassis and blackberry fruit supported by good underlying acidity as well as structure. Enjoy it over the next 5-6 years”
— Robert Parker

2008 Wrath Sauvignon Blanc, San Saba Vineyard

Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences #38
Very Highly Recommended  "I tasted an utterly fascinating Sauvignon Blanc the other day that had the smell we have long since abandoned in the varietal: a green, herbal and grass-y component that once defined the grape in cooler climates... The aromas of herbs the way we saw them regularly in the 1970's makes this love-or-hate wine distinctive.  But low (12.7%) alcohol and great acidity make it a lot more distinctive than many New Zealand SBs!"
— Dan Berger

Connoisseur's Guide, February 2010
Rating 89 pts   "This medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc rings all the right bells in its march to attractiveness, even while tilting heavily to the green side of the varietal spectrum.  Its balance is bright, and energetic without being excessively tart, and its finish hangs on and on with the tangy influences of green citrus blending in with traces of more melony flavors."

2008 Wrath Sauvignon Blanc, Destruction Level 

The Wine Enthusiast, December 2009
Rating 89 pts  "Very rich and layered, a dry, crisply acidic wine that gets the mouth watering the way a Sauvignon Blanc should.  Shows flavors of citrus fruits, gooseberries, green grass, vanilla, and minerals with a touch of tart pyrazines."
— Steve Heimoff

Connoisseur's Guide, Februrary 2010
Rating  89 pts  "With an extra bit of body and what seems like a little less acidity, this one turns out to be the richer of the two.  It avoids the steely bite of its mate above, but comes with a toasty overlay seemingly derived from a bit of oak aging.  It also has distinct grassy notes and a somewhat rounded feel on the palate, and its style wants service with richer fish or chicken dishes."

2007 Wrath 877/Noir Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands

International Wine Review , December 2009
Rating 90 pts  "The 877/Noir is another attractive Syrah from Wrath.  It exhibits dark fruit aromas and is nicely concentrated on the palate with dark cherry and plum flavors, black pepper, and herbal notes.  It has a velvety smooth mouth feel with excellent balance and noteworthy acidity on the finish.  Aged for 11 months in neutral Franch and American oak barrels."
— The IWR Tasting Panel

The Wine Enthusiast , November 2009
Rating 89 pts  "This is a generous, likable syrah for drinking soon.  It's dark in color, full-bodied, and dry with ripe flavors of  blackberries, plums, cola, anise, sandlewood and peppery spices.  The soft tannins help the wine finish rich and silky."
— Steve Heimoff