Action Wine & Spirits

Schug Carneros Estate Winery
Sonoma, California/ schugwinery.com

Founded in 1980, Schug Carneros Estate Winery is the showcase and life-long dream of one of California's most celebrated winemakers. Walter Schug's reputation blossomed during his tenure as Founding Winemaker for Joseph Phelps Vineyards in the 1970s, where he made California's first proprietary Bordeaux-Style blend (Insignia) and legendary vineyard designated Cabernets. Drawing on his long experience in the production of fine wines in both Europe and California, Walter set up his own winery with his wife Gertrud in the cool, marine climate of the Carneros appellation. Here he could focus on the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals that had always been close to his heart.

Wine	Description	Trade
Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 Sonoma County	This well-balanced Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of vineyards from very different microclimates in Sonoma County. Grapes grown in the cooler Carneros district contribute spice and acidity for excellent food compatibility, while the warmer-grown Bennett Valley grapes, Sauvignon Musque, contribute lush fruit flavors reminiscent of melon, honeysuckle and grapefruit. These flavors are enhanced by the creamy richness of fermentation and aging on the yeast ("sur lie"). This wine finishes with a clean, crisp acidity that makes it an ideal accompaniment to a wide range of soups, salads and shellfish dishes. 87 WS	Download Label Download Shelf_Talker Download Tech Sheet
Chardonnay, 2007 Sonoma Coast	This Chardonnay was produced in a lively, crisp style that emphasizes varietal fruit character. We achieve this by combining modern cold fermentation with traditional French Burgundian aging techniques. It draws its structure and spice from Chardonnay grown on our own Estate vineyards in the Carneros region of the Sonoma Valley. 86 WS	Download Label Download Shelf_Talker Download Tech Sheet
"Carneros" Chardonnay, 2007 Carneros	Chardonnay grapes grown on our cool-climate Carneros Estate vineyard underwent traditional European winemaking practices of barrel fermentation and aging on the lees ("sur-lie"). Additional complexity was contributed by Chardonnay grown on the Sangiacomo, Ricci, Iund, Cornerstones, Smith and Wood Valley vineyards. The result is a wine with the powerful elegance of the finest white Burgundy. It has a ripe, spicy tropical bouquet with flavors that suggest citrus, pear and apple-butter. Well-balanced acidity gives it a crisp, clean finish, making it an excellent wine with food. Try it with cream soups, seafood, fowl, veal and pasta dishes. 92 W&S	Download Label Download Shelf_Talker Download Tech Sheet
Pinot Noir, 2007 Sonoma Coast	The Sonoma Coast designation draws upon some new vineyard sources, including Russian River that allow our winemaker added flexibility in creating blends of greater depth and complexity. Its vibrant flavors, reminiscent of raspberry and cherry, make it an ideal accompaniment to grilled fish and fowl, or barbecued meats.	Download Label Download Shelf_Talker Download Tech Sheet
"Carneros" Pinot Noir, 2007 Carneros	This classic Carneros region Pinot Noir offers a wide range of flavors and aromas, in the tradition of the finest red Burgundies of France. "Clonal diversity" is achieved by carefully blending several separately vinified lots, with each retaining its own clonal signature in the blend. The result, a complex wine with a rich bouquet full of cherries, berries and hint of spicy new oak. Flavors of bright cherry, currant and strawberry are followed by a spicy, smooth texture and elegant finish.	Download Label Download Tech Sheet
Merlot, 2006 Sonoma Valley	This powerful yet elegant Merlot is crafted in the classic Bordeaux style that Walter Schug pioneered in California while winemaster of Joseph Phelps Vineyards (1973 to 1983). The grapes were sourced from the Ricci Vineyard and Sangiacomo Vineyards in the Carneros district of southern Sonoma Valley, as well as the Rancho Salina Vineyard in Sonoma Valley. These cooler microclimates provide the longer growing season necessary for Merlot to ripen slowly and develop maximum flavor. It has a spicy bouquet, deep color and exhibits full-bodied flavors of cherry, blackberry and spice. Try it now with grilled fish, pasta, lamb and steaks, or cellar it for 5 to 7 years.	Download Label Download Shelf_Talker Download Tech Sheet
Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Sonoma Valley	Supple and generous, this is a well-structured Cabernet blended in the classic Bordeaux style. A ripe mouthful of currant and cherry flavors are framed by fine tannins and a touch of spicy oak. It has a classic bouquet bursting with berries, cassis and spice. 88 WE	Download Label Download Shelf_Talker Download Tech Sheet
Reserve Wines - Special Order Only
"Rouge de Noirs" Sparkling Pinot Noir Brut, 2006 Carneros	In the tradition of my home estate in Germany, we offer this Sparkling Pinot Noir as a celebration of the intense yet delicate flavors the Pinot Noir grape has to offer. During my childhood, my father selected casks of his finest Pinot Noir to make into sparkling wine ("Spatburgunder Sekt"), choosing only the wines showing true varietal character. Our own �Rouge de Noirs� is handcrafted using traditional European methods of bottle fermentation and careful riddling. Delicate and dry like a fine Blanc de Noirs yet uniquely different, it has a richness, intensity of flavor and brilliant red color rarely found in a sparkling wine. "Rouge de Noirs" embodies the true essence of Pinot Noir - a wine we produce "for the love of it!"	Download Label Download Shelf_Talker Download Tech Sheet
"Heritage Reserve" Chardonnay, 2006 Carneros	The Heritage Reserve Chardonnay shows intense fruit aromas of ripe pear and orange liqueur, complemented by toasty oak. Complex pear, apple and citrus flavors give way to a full-bodied texture and a long finish. 92 W&S / 90 WE	Download Label Download Shelf_Talker Download Tech Sheet
"Heritage Reserve" Pinot Noir, 2006 Carneros	We set aside the finest barrel lots of our Carneros Pinot Noir for extended aging to create our "Heritage Reserve" Pinot Noir. Each vineyard lot was chosen to express its own individuality in harmony with the final blend. The result is a limited bottling that is as rich and powerful as it is graceful and charming. A bouquet reminiscent of roses, warm cherries and Kirsch liqueur leads to rich flavors of black cherry, cranberry, and hints of lavender, all finishing with hints of tobacco and spicy new oak. This wine is perfect for the collector's cellar, and will continue to age gracefully for up to 10 years.	Download Label Download Shelf_Talker Download Tech Sheet
"Heritage Reserve" Merlot, 2005 Carneros	Our Heritage Reserve Merlot is blended in the Bordeaux tradition using Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon for maximum complexity. The Merlot is sourced from the cool Carneros region, where the extremely long growing season allows this varietal to ripen slowly, developing maximum varietal character and depth of flavor while retaining bright acidity. It has a spicy bouquet of lavender and mint, rich deep color and full-bodied flavors of cherry, cassis and chocolate. Try it now with lamb, duck and rich cheeses, or age it for 5 to 7 years. 90 WE	Download Label Download Tech Sheet
"Heritage Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004 Sonoma Valley	This complex wine has dense color and structure and features bright aromas of violets and blueberries, with ripe fruit flavors reminiscent of cherries, chocolate and cassis. Nicely integrated tannins and oak give it a rich texture and a long and elegant finish.	Download Label Download Shelf_Talker Download Tech Sheet