Sold Out
2016 Carol Shelton Rockpile Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Carol Shelton Rockpile Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Carol Shelton
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
, Rockpile Vineyard
Sonoma County

92 Points, GOLD Medal - 2021 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge
91 Points, GOLD Medal - 2023 Toast of the Coast Wine Competition
90 Points, GOLD Medal - 2022 Orange Co Fair Wine Competition
GOLD Medal - 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
GOLD Medal - 2021 Monterey Wine Festival Wine Competition

This Cabernet features an intense garnet core. A fragrant and nose comes off this beautiful Cabernet, full of black cherry and cassis, leather, currant, violets, sandalwood. The palate is equally gorgeous with extremely rich cookie, walnut, plum and cassis with a long smooth creamy vanilla finish. This one is aged to perfection and ready to show off.

Crowd-pleasing wine, so go ahead and finish the bottle with grilled meat including New York strip, filet mignon, prime rib or your favorite meatloaf.

Cabernet from Sonoma's much sought-after Rockpile AVA like this can be a rarity... only because wines from this tiny appellation are about as rare as it gets.  Making this among the scarcest, most sought-after gems in the state.

VINEYARD

The legendary Rockpile AVA (American Viticultural Area) is one of the most sought-after AVAs.  While Rockpile is one of the newest AVAs in California, receiving status over 20 years ago, the area has been referred to as Rockpile since the 1850's. Located in Northern Sonoma County, at the northwest corner of Dry Creek Valley, the Rockpile AVA encompasses nearly 15,000 acres, of which less than 160 are planted to vineyard. This makes Rockpile one of the smallest AVAs in the United States in terms of acreage planted.

WINEMAKER:  Carol Shelton
VARIETAL:  97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petite Sirah
APPELLATION:  Rockpile Vineyard, Sonoma County
FERMENTATION:  15 days total on skins, including 6-day cold soak and 6 days extended maceration. Fermented in 0.8-ton T-bins (5 yeasts) & punched down by hand 2-3 times/day.
AGING:  30 months in 100% new French oak
VINTAGE:  2016
ALCOHOL:  14.9%

Tasting Notes PDF PDF


More About Carol Shelton

<< previous  |  next >>

Maroon
2019 Zinfandel, Napa Valley
RESERVE

92 Points
Aromas and robust flavors of dark cherry, blackberries, mocha, espresso and hints of black pepper.  Incredibly balanced with a smooth mouthfeel and body against a backdrop of structured tannins.  The wine unfolds with notes of clove and dried herbs, ending with a long rich finish.

 $66.00 
Today's Price
$39.00
2019 Maroon Reserve Napa Valley Zinfandel

Muscardini
2019 Red Blend, TESORO (Treasure)
Super-Tuscan Style

98 Points, Best of Class
Super-Tuscan style blend offering aromas of ripe berries and black fruits, interwoven with hints of vanilla, caramel, raw tobacco, leather, clove, blood orange peel, and roasted walnuts. Rich and generous flavors of briary blackberry, dark cherry, ripe plum and cassis.

 $62.00 
Today's Price
$46.50
2019 Muscardini TESORO

La Sirena
2018 Syrah, Calistoga AVA (Napa Valley)
Barrett Vineyard

Chewy & Ripe!
Dark purplish-black with aromas of ripe black plums, bacon, blackberry jam, and black tea.  Dense, chewy and ripe across the palate with a nice mid-palate texture and weight.  Rich, structured, and complex, with a long evolving finish.

 $75.00 
Today's Price
$52.50
2018 La Sirena Barrett Vineyard Syrah Napa Valley

Cosa Obra
2022 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

Generously packed with exotic cassis, black cherry, cola and plum flavors knitted together in a creamy, velvety texture with nice layering, finishing with delightful notes of spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.

 $45.00 
Today's Price
$36.00
2022 Cosa Obra Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Martin Ray
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford
Napa Valley

94 Points
Kirsch, ripe plum and bramble with an undercurrent of star anise and toffee.  Earthy, with wild blueberry and classic dusty character, balanced by fine tannins and fresh acidity.

 $125.00 
Today's Price
$75.00
2021 Martin Ray Rutherford Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Reynoso
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
Estate Vineyard

Deep ruby in color this wine is bountiful, juicy and structured. Blueberry, black cherry and wild blackberry, framed by notes of sweet licorice, violets, sage and bay leaf. Impeccably balanced with fine dusty tannins hint at a long life ahead in the cellar.

 $45.00 
Today's Price
$36.00
2019 Reynoso Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Cosa Obra
2021 Rosé, Sonoma County

Crisp & Refreshing
Aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of fresh herb and pomegranate. Though packed with fruit, this Rosé finishes dry, with a nice balanced finish.

 $25.00 
Today's Price
$19.99
2021 Cosa Obra Rose of Pinot Noir

Muscardini
2019 Red Blend, FORTUNA (Good Fortune)

Plush & Velvety
Aromas of wild berries are interlaced with nuances of fresh lavender, dark chocolate truffle, baking spices, and cigar box, with generous flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry, dark cherry and fresh currants are layered with hints of cocoa, cassis, allspice, and wild sage. 

 $75.00 
Today's Price
$52.50
2019 Muscardini FORTUNA

Martin Ray
2022 Pinot Noir, Hallberg Ranch
Russian River Valley

95 Points
Cherry blossom and raspberry over fresh pomegranate with subtle touches of dried violet and lavender, with notes of spice that carry through to its silky layers, juicy red core, and velvety fine-grained tannins.  Embodies bright, high-toned fruit, generous round body, and a silky refined finish.

 $60.00 
Today's Price
$42.00
2022 Martin Ray Hallberg Ranch Pinot Noir

Maroon
2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Coombsville, Estate RESERVE

Excellent, Great Value!
Aromas of rich cherry, black currant, dark plums, with hints of lightly toasted vanilla, mint and crushed slate. The concentrated flavors further integrate with blackberries, tobacco, anise and earthiness with a balanced oak profile, layered palette, leaving you with its delightful finish.

 $110.00 
Today's Price
$54.99
2020 Maroon Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Reynoso
2021 Red Blend, Alexander Valley
Estate Vineyard

Big, Bold & Juicy!
Bountiful, lavish and plush with aromas of plum, bramble berry, mocha, cedar, and red currant.  Loaded with dark fruit, the mouth is full with a mix of red and dark berry, with notes of dark on the end.  There is a touch of espresso, ripe black cherry, and petrichor.  Nicely framed by generous French oak.

 $30.00 
Today's Price
$27.00
2021 Reynoso Alexander Valley Red Blend

Reynoso
2020 Syrah, Alexander Valley
Estate Vineyard

Rich & Plush!
Notes of ripe plum, sweet maple-cured bacon, lavender, five-spice, and blueberry. The palate is lush with cherry pipe tobacco, blackberry, raspberry held together by mineral overtones and fresh acidity.

 $40.00 
Today's Price
$32.00
2020 Reynoso Alexander Valley Syrah

Cosa Obra
2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County

Gold Medal
Aromas of white peach, melon, and orange blossom complemented by bright citrus and lemon zest.  Notes of kiwi, pineapple, lemon, mango and papaya introduce a rich palate and a persistent mineral finish.

 $28.00 
Today's Price
$22.40
2022 Cosa Obra Sauvignon Blanc

Reynoso
2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Alexander Valley
Estate Vineyard

Pure, delicious, vibrant with aromas of white peach and wild white plum on the nose, followed by ripe Persian lime, jasmine high times, tart green apple, and crisp star fruit.  The mouth centers in with pomelo and ginger lime leading into a mid-palate of fresh squeezed lime over papaya and lime zest on top of light lemon curd.

 $25.00 
Today's Price
$22.50
2022 Reynoso Alexander Valley Sauvignon Blanc

Maroon
2019 Merlot, Napa Valley
RESERVE

Rich & Luxurious!
Beautiful ruby color and opens with aromas of bright red plum and raspberry, cassis, and a touch of mint.  The tannins are soft yet structured, and complemented by vibrant acidity, with hints of clove and baking spice from the oak aging.  The wine ends with a long, smooth finish and lingering intensity encouraging you to enjoy another juicy sip.

 $66.00 
Today's Price
$39.00
2019 Maroon Reserve Napa Valley Merlot

Muscardini
2018 Red Blend, Old Vine RESERVE
Cassata Vineyards

Modern, Sexy & Full
Aromas of wild blackberries and blueberries interwoven with enchanting notes of fresh mint, lavender, roasted walnut, savory spices, and a captivating hint of dark chocolate drizzled with fine balsamic. Notes of plum, blueberry and cassis with hints of wild sage, licorice, black pepper, and an elegant touch of fine-grained oak.

 $85.00 
Today's Price
$59.50
2018 Muscardini Old Vine Red Blend Reserve

Sojourn
2021 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

94 Points
Lovely aromas of crushed blueberry, red and blue plum, dried violet flower.  It's juicy and engaging, with mulled raspberry coursing through and offers balance and depth with perfect levels of acidity with silky tannins leading to a long engaging finish.

 $45.00 
Today's Price
$40.50
2021 Sojourn Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Ty Caton
2020 Syrah, Ballfield
Moon Mountain District

Jam & Spice!
Elegant, plush, and backed by power and grace. The nose pushes notes of blackberry and mocha, sweet maple-cured bacon, lavender, spice, and blueberry. The palate is lush with pipe tobacco, boysenberry held together by subtle pepper spice.

 $45.00 
Today's Price
$36.00
2020 Ty Caton Ballfield Syrah

WineHeist.com
Inside Steals, One Every Week