Shannon Ridge – A Blast From the Past

At one time in history, about 100 years ago, Lake County California was earning the reputation as producing “the best wines in the world.” All of this came to a grinding halt in 1919 with the enacting of the 18th Amendment which prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States. The grape growers of Lake County were forced to rip out their grape vines and replant with walnut and pear orchids. With the end of prohibition in 1933, Lake county remained in the orchid business. Only until recently investors began to plant grapes, one of these became Shannon Ridge Vineyards and Winery.

Shannon Ridge Vineyards and Winery is an up and coming wine producer of quality grapes and exceptional wines. Their reputation for excellence has propelled Shannon Ridge into a place of prominence among wine critics and wine consumers alike.

Shannon Ridge 2010 “Ranch Collection” Chardonnay ($19). To begin with, this wine is not one of those boring chardonnays. It is a wine in which the fruit is boldly expressed both in the aroma and the flavor. The aroma stresses a floral note, which includes orange blossom and jasmine, coupled with a mélange of tropical fruits and a great deal of citrus. The citrus and tropical fruits carry over into the flavor where they merge with oak and vanilla. This wine is a true Lake County chardonnay, big fruit, big flavor, and definitely enjoyable.

Shannon Ridge 2010 “Ranch Collection” Zinfandel ($19). After languishing as an also-ran, this grape variety is finding new life as the wine that can accompany anything. The Shannon Ridge 2010 “Ranch Collection” Zinfandel is a virtual berry holiday. The aroma is loaded with raspberries and blackberries, which carry over to the flavor where they mingle and offer a big, jammy flavor of those same berries with a hint of oak in the background. One sip of this wine at an unguarded moment and it could easily become your favorite red wine.

Shannon Ridge 2010 “Ranch Collection” Cabernet Sauvignon ($19). This wine displays a bold purple/garnet color and a powerful dark cherry and fresh berry aroma with hints of vanilla and spice in the background. The flavor is vibrant, accenting bing cherries and black raspberries with a solid oak backbone and just enough tannin to assure long aging. The Shannon Ridge 2010 “Ranch Collection” Cabernet Sauvignon wine will go with any of the grilled or roasted meats, cheeses and vegetable dishes. It is also a perfect accompaniment for any of the Italian style foods and is a wine that should not be missed.

Shannon Ridge 2009 “Ranch Collection” Petite Sirah ($24). This offering holds true to the great petite sirah wines of the past, a medium-full body, brilliant ruby color and a full fruit flavor that accents red berry and dark cherry flavor with the traditional peppery undertones. It is very smooth in the mouth with a nicely defined aftertaste. The wine will age exceptionally well with four or five years being the optimum. Try the Shannon Ridge 2009 Petite Sirah “Ranch Collection” with any of the popular highly spiced foods or red-sauced pastas and you will be amply rewarded.

Shannon Ridge 2008 “Ranch Collection” Wrangler Red ($17). Wrangler Red is a collection or rather a congregation of grapes, the only thing missing from this wine is the kitchen sink and we can’t guarantee that. This delightful red wine is a blend of 37% zinfandel, 35% syrah, 18% petite sirah, 5% barbera, 3% mourvedre and 2% tempranillo. Who ever thought up this blend should be knighted; it is a wonder. The color is a very deep purple with an aroma of big ripe cherries, blackberry, vanilla and of course oak. The flavor heads in another direction and strongly stresses blackberries, peppery spice and vanilla. The finish is long and mirrors the flavor. If you are tired or bored with the “same old thing” head for Shannon Ridge 2008 “Ranch Collection” Wrangler Red, the trip will be well worth it.