Renaissance Vineyard & Winery

www.renaissancewinery.com

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four reviews

"At 2300 feet elevation, with clear views of snow-covered peaks in the northern Sierra Nevada, Renaissance is the largest mountain vineyard estate in North America. Patterned after famous vineyards of Europe, the 365 acres of vines climb dramatically contoured terraces to form an immense green amphitheatre. The climate is ideal - above the fog and below the snow - with alternating hot days and cold nights. This austere mountain environment extracts the essence of the red rocky soil to produce fruit of intense complex flavours. Remote from any other wine region, Renaissance is the only vineyard and winery in the North Yuba Viticultural Area..."

“Renaissance is California’s best-kept Cabernet secret.”

  - Matt Kramer Wine Spectator Jan 1996  

Although only the fifth release of this sought-after Rhône varietal, grown on the estate’s Northern Rhône-like steep granite terraces and made in the traditional manner, Renaissance Viognier gained international recognition by winning the Gold Medal and Trophy at VinExpo 2001 with their 2000 vintage.  This wine is true an expression of a noble varietal and its perfect terroir; no winery manipulations, no new oak, no fining or cold-stabilizing. And in a very limited release.Pale golden yellow.  Intense (peach, apricot, grapefruit, white flowers) with an intriguing spice on the nose. Spicy fruit-salad and flower aromas on the palate, with an impressive length. A wine to drink in its youthful aromatic bloom, with a warm goat cheese salad, coq au vin blanc, or deliciously on its own.  

GOLD MEDAL and TROPHY - VinExpo 2001 (Bordeaux, France)   for the 2000 Vintage

SKU 527424

Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills at elevations between 1,700 and 2,300 feet, Renaissance Vineyard and Winery enjoys one of the more spectacular mountain vineyard sites in all of North America.  The terraced, granite slopes yield very distinctive wines, characterized by a wonderful blend of elegance and intensity.Produced from 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc hand-picked then soft pressed and hot fermented; refined for 13 months in old French, American and German oak 225L barrels. The wine is medium bodied, very fruity and luscious. It has a juicy mid palate and a harmonious evolution in the mouth; ripe plum, berry and cherry fruit, good concentration and a long chocolaty finish.  Drinks well now but will evolve over the next decade. A wonderful companion to a great variety of dishes.Silver Medal – International Wine Challenge 1999 (London, England)

SKU 576678  

Syrah 1998 

DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL - San Francisco Wine Competition 2000.

The 100% Syrah was hand selected between the 30th September and 4th October, 1998 and underwent a hot fermentation in stainless steel tanks with aeration and sprinkle-over cap for 14 days.  Then aged for 11 months in 229 and 500L neutral oak barrels; finally bottled unfined and unfiltered.The “el Niño” climatic conditions of 1998 especially favoured this variety, producing a Northern Rhône look-alike.  Dark, spicy, slightly austere, and with great purity of fruit and concentration.A classic Syrah, which would greatly reward a few years in the cellar, while already drinking well now.

SKU 576652

Recently re-released, this is a fully mature dessert wine of excellent quality. It has been maturing well over the years resulting today in a wine that still maintains its youthful exuberance while showing what great Riesling can become – truly splendid! 

SKU 465377