Red Wine Michael David Winery Earthquake Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. The Phillips family have been growing fruit and vegetables in California’s Lodi region since the 1860s, but their love affair with wine only began in the 1980s. Brothers Michael and David made their very first vintage in 1984 in a barn using just a few barrels and an old press. Since then the winery has blossomed into 800-acres of vineyards and was even been named Wine Enthusiast’s American Winery of the Year in 2020. Their philosophy is all about preserving the land for future generations, and they’ve drawn up their own strict sustainability principles called the Lodi Rules”. These cover everything from pest control and water usage to HR and business development. These regulations help the winery to craft delicious wines like this Earthquake Cabernet which are both environmentally-friendly and very pleasing to the palate. Grapes are sourced from the estate’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards which are then carefully sorted and vinified. The young wine spends 18 months maturing in French oak barrels which adds hints of toasty spice and woodsmoke to the luscious dark fruit character. Robust and endlessly complex, this powerful Cabernet is a great wine to enjoy alongside hearty meat dishes or even to keep in the cellar for a few more years.
2018
Red Wine Michael David Winery Earthquake Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Red Wine Michael David Winery Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. The Phillips family have been growing fruit and vegetables in Lodi since the 1860s, but it was only in 1984 that brothers Michael and David started making wine here with little more than an barn, a few barrels and an old press. Today the duo have over 800 acres of vineyards and have instituted a strict series of regulations called the Lodi Rules to make the winery as sustainable as possible and preserve it for the next generation of the family. In 2020 they were named Wine Enthusiast’s American Winery of the Year in recognition of this groundbreaking work. Despite their serious commitments to winemaking and the environment, the winery produces fun, light-hearted wines that are full of big flavours. Their Freakshow Cabernet comes from an exceptional vineyard located a short hop away from the winery. The fruit is harvested at optimum maturity and spends 14 months ageing in French oak barrels after vinification. The result is a muscular, robust wine reminiscent of the strongman featured on the label. On the nose there are seductive raspberry, plum and dark cherry notes along with toast, vanilla and hints of sweet baking spice. There’s a robust full body, smooth tannins and a long finish, making this a great match for barbecued meats, tomato-based pasta dishes, or charcuterie.
2018
Red Wine Michael David Winery Freakshow Zinfandel 2018. Although the Phillips family have been growing fruit and vegetables here in Lodi since the 1860s, the winery was only founded in 1984 by brothers Michael and David. Their project began with just an old press, some barrels and a barn. Over the last few decades the estate has grown to some 800 acres of vineyards and has a reputation for being one of California’s most sustainable wineries thanks to their Lodi Rules” which govern everything from water usage to HR principles. In 2020 the Michael David Winery was named Wine Enthusiast’s American Winery of the Year, but this hasn’t stopped them producing a series of fun, irreverent wines under the Freakshow label. Their Freakshow Zinfandel features a fire breather on the label, a reference to the intense nature of this sunkissed California red. The young wine is matured in American and French oak barrels for 12 months, adding polish and complexity to Zinfandel’s naturally luscious dark fruit character. On the nose there’s a plethora of berry notes, with cassis, blackberry and cherry mingling with hints of toast, cedar, anise and woodsmoke. The first sip is bold and powerful with a full body, firm tannins and a soft, smooth texture leading on to a lengthy finish with plenty of spice. The delicate balance between fiery intensity and rich, soft fruit makes this a great wine to serve with tomato-based pasta, pizzas or charcuterie.
2018