Vintage
2002
Superiore
Syrah 25%
Superiore is Montemaggiore's own special blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Each year the exact blend varies slightly—the 2002 Superiore is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Syrah—but the synergy between these varietals always produces a wonderful, age-worthy wine.
- Vineyard
- Tasting Notes
- Recipes
- Accolades
- Vintages
Vineyard Profile: Estate Vineyard
Located on a mountainside high above Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County, the rocky soils of Montemaggiore's estate vineyards produce intensely flavored grapes at naturally low yields. Using biodynamic practices and organic materials, we farm Paolo's Vineyard without chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.
Vintage Information
In 2002, the weather was fairly moderate and our crop would have been abundant, but we thinned about 30% of the fruit on our young vines to enhance the flavor characteristics. Our inaugural vintage, 2002 has proven to be a great year at Montemaggiore.
Winemaker's Goal
With the Nobile blend, Cabernet's strengths (structure, ageability, and depth) are combined with syrah's strengths (breadth of flavors, soft tannins)—thereby yielding a wine that's appealing fruit aromas, easy to drink young or aged, and a lot of complexity to keep you sipping! More on Nobile Winemaking ▶
Food Pairings
Being a balanced blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this wine goes well with the dishes that traditionally go well with each varietal.
Nobile pairs well with a grilled steak, braised short ribs, grilled sausage, roasted squash, braised lamb shanks, and polenta with grilled portobellos.
Consider our recipe for osso buco.
Accolades
Wine Enthusiast
October 2005
"This Cabernet-Syrah blend is obviously very ripe, packed with black cherry and chocolate flavors, with interesting herb and pepper notes. There's a nice edge of tannins and acids. Sophisticated and intricate, it will pair well with lamb or beef."
California Wine Web
March 2006
"A blend of Syrah and Cabernet from hillside vineyards adds dimension to this big, firm-textured, fully tannic debut wine from a new Dry Creek winery. Aromas are closed, but berry, cherry, chocolate and smoke flavors come out with time. "
San Francisco Chronicle
January 2006
The 2002 Superiore, our first vintage, won a Silver Medal in the largest American wine competition, in which more than 3,300 wines were entered from throughout the United States.
Syrah 25%