Antonio Galloni's Vinous Reviews

BY JOSH RAYNOLDS | SEPTEMBER 2020

Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden 2015 Sentience, 94 Points, $55

Applegate Valley, Rogue Valley, Oregon

Red wine from United States

Drinking window: 2021 – 2028

Deep violet. Vibrant, spice- and mineral-accented red and blue fruit scents show sharp focus and pick up incense and violet nuances with air. Sappy, concentrated and lively on the palate, offering juicy boysenberry, cherry cola and spicecake flavors firmed by a spine of juicy acidity. Blends power and vivacity with a deft hand and finishes very long and floral, with discreet tannins melding with the juicy fruit. 26% whole clusters and 39% new French oak.

Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden 2016 Deuce, 93 Points, $55

Applegate Valley, Rogue Valley, Oregon

Red wine from United States

Drinking window: 2021 – 2027

Saturated ruby. Expansive, spice-tinged black raspberry, cherry, and potpourri aromas are complemented by a smoky mineral overtone. Seamless and broad in the mouth, offering concentrated red and dark berry, cola and floral pastille flavors and a suggestion of exotic spices. Finishes with repeating floral and spice character, harmonious tannins and strong tenacity. 30% whole clusters and 30% new French oak.

Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden 2015 Moonraker, 93 Points, $55

Applegate Valley, Rogue Valley, Oregon

Red wine from United States

Drinking window: 2020 – 2026

Deep ruby-red. Assertively perfumed aromas of ripe red and blue fruits, baking spices and candied violet pick up a smoky mineral quality with air. Spicy and sharply delineated in the mouth, offering juicy cherry, raspberry, licorice and floral pastille flavors that show impressive energy and solid thrust. Finishes sappy, focused and very long, with a sweetening touch of vanilla and fine-grained tannins adding shape and gentle grip. 25% whole clusters and 40% new oak.

Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden 2018 Viognier Reserve, 93 Points, $50

Applegate Valley, Rogue Valley, Oregon

White wine from United States

Drinking window: 2020 – 2024

Pale yellow. A deeply perfumed bouquet evokes fresh orchard and pit fruits, which are enlivened by orange pith and smoky mineral flourishes that build with aeration. Sappy white peach, melon and pear liqueur flavors show excellent clarity and minerally back-end cut. Smooth and focused on the impressively persistent finish, which features resonating floral and pear notes. 40% new French oak.

Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden 2018 Viognier, 92 Points, $40

Applegate Valley, Rogue Valley, Oregon

White wine from United States

Drinking window: 2020 – 2023

Vivid straw-yellow. Penetrating aromas of fresh citrus and pit fruits are complemented by hints of chalky minerals and white flowers. Juicy and seamless on the palate, offering Meyer lemon, white peach and honeydew flavors that show fine clarity and minerally lift. The floral note repeats strongly on the focused finish, which clings with impressive persistence. 33% new French oak.

Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden 2016 Grenache 6, 92 Points, $45

Applegate Valley, Rogue Valley, Oregon

Red wine from United States

Drinking window: 2020 – 2025

Deep red. Pungent red berry preserve and floral aromas are energized by a spicy suggestion of white pepper. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering appealingly sweet cherry, raspberry and candied lavender flavors that show very good structure and depth. Closes smooth and gently tannic, displaying impressive persistence and resonating florality. 34% whole clusters and 35% new French oak.

Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden 2018 Spiral 36, 91 Points, $28

Applegate Valley, Rogue Valley, Oregon

White wine from United States

Drinking window: 2021 – 2025

Limpid, green-hued straw. High-pitched, sharply focused citrus fruit, pear, floral and candied ginger scents are complemented by a dusty mineral nuance. Concentrated yet lithe on the palate, offering zesty orange pith, Anjou pear and fresh fig flavors that deepen on the back half. The mineral element repeats on the nervy finish, which lingers with strong tenacity. No malo and 15% new French oak.

Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden 2017 Spiral 36, 90 Points, $28

Applegate Valley, Rogue Valley, Oregon

White wine from United States

Drinking window: 2020 – 2023

Pale chartreuse. Penetrating aromas of fresh citrus fruits and succulent herbs are complicated by suggestions of quinine and dusty minerals. Juicy and seamless on the palate, offering intense white peach, dried pear and orange zest flavors that show fine clarity and tension. The floral note repeats on the incisive finish, which lingers with sharp focus and very good tenacity. No malo and 25% new French oak.

Tasting date: June 2020

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