WTN: Shake Ridge, Rattle & Roll

[David M. Bueker]

2014 Enfield Wine Co. Tempranillo Gran Reserva Shake Ridge Ranch - USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (4/2/2023)
I have been following John Lockwood’s wines from the very start (thank you Doug Wilder for the tip). This is hands down the best version of Tempranillo he has done. I understand it’s a cash flow disaster, but damn it’s delicious. Leather, cedar, aged tobacco, deep red fruit and splash of orange peel make a fascinating aromatic, and the combination on the palate is refreshing. I’ve talked up John’s Tempranillo wines in the past, and this is a notable step up.

[David M. Bueker]

• 2014 Enfield Wine Co. Tempranillo Gran Reserva Shake Ridge Ranch - USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (6/25/2024)
  I might have to slow down my current consumption rate of a bottle a year, as this wine seems to need more time to fully develop than I initially thought. It has so much leathery/dusty fruit body, but also some catch in the back of the throat tannin that needs some time to settle down. I will try (and likely fail) to wait two or three more years until opening another one, as I firmly believe it will be good for the wine.