Chicago Loves McGrail Wine!

 McGrail Vineyards and Winery www.mcgrailvineyards.com, family owned producer of premium wines from the Livermore Valley, chosen in the top 10 for Cabernet Shootout.

Affairs of the Vine hosted its 6^th Annual Cabernet Shootout, with 217 Cabernet Sauvignon entrants from 43 different appellations.  The shootout was a blind tasting from both a male and female panel of wine writers, sommeliers, winemakers, and wine professionals, including Wine Enthusiast Magazines, Steve Heimoff.  McGrail Vineyards placed in the top 10 for both the male and female panelist, scoring a 92 and 4 hearts, the highest honor.  The top 35 wines were invited to Chicago for a consumer based tasting event.

The Chicago Wine Club, an 80,000 member organization, for wine lovers, collectors, educators, sommeliers, and drinkers, hosted the Cabernet Grand Tasting on September 29^th, 2010 at the Blue Star Wine Bar in Chicago, Il. Over 200 members showed up to rate 34 Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet blends.  The men and women were supposed to vote for their top 3 favorite wines.  McGrail Vineyards and Winery won the top honors as the number 1 wine for the women of the Chicago Wine Club.  For more information please visit: http://www.affairsofthevine.com/

Here's what the expert panel had to say about McGrail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (the 4 hearts were the highest honor):

(92) Red

Female: This wine displays soft and beautiful rich fruit with eucalyptus accents peeking through. Predominantly cherry and plum flavors accented by caramel. Well integrated with nice acidity on the finish.

(92) Red

Male: Cedar, tobacco, and coffee with a touch of mocha lead the way to the lush mouthfeel ripe with cherry flavors. A very elegant wine.