94pts Tasting Panel

This masterful red blend was crafted from volcanic soils. Dark chocolate, espresso, black olive, new leather, and soy sauce demand attention as dried violets line the palate with dusky, well-structured precision.

93pts Wine Enthusiast

This wine is concentrated, with aromas of brambled blackberry, black currant confiture, violet, dried herbs and molasses. The flavors open to ripe black plum, black cherry cream soda and sarsaparilla, wrapped around bay leaf, grilled orange slices, mineral and a dry, long finish. Decant for 30 minutes and enjoy with grilled rib eye. Adjacent to an ancient volcanic cinder cone and nestled into the remote eastern edge of High Valley, our Volcano Ridge vineyard features steep slopes and strikingly red volcanic soils. Originally planted in 2003 and 2004, the vineyard totals 85 acres and is planted to a sizable number of varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Zinfandel. The vineyard elevation ranges from 1900 ft. to 2200 ft. The volcanic sands and tephra (small, fused sand pebbles) of the Konocti series make for excellent drainage. Vines struggle in these soils, and the intensity of that struggle is reflected in the layers of complexity and structure, in the concentrated fruit, and in the final expression of Volcano Ridge wines.

Tasting Notes

Full flavored and firmly tannic, our 2021 Eruption Red Blend combines delicious, concentrated aromas of blackberry and blueberry with accents of dried violet and oak spice. This wine shows the intensity, volume and palette-coating mouthfeel we have come to expect of our fruit from Volcano Ridge. A juicy and wellbalanced finish rounds out each sip.