Giguiere Estate Pillars of Hercules Red Blend 2020
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Enthusiast
Wine -
Wong
Wilfred
Product Details
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Winemaker Notes
This unique blend of three Estate Grown reds shows off its robust pedigree in the deep, dark purple color. The aromatics are a beautiful mix of violets, dense black fruit, and chocolate. Juicy flavors of blueberry, boysenberry and blackberry jam are a nice counterpoint to the toasty oak and racy black pepper notes. The texture is full and viscous and hangs around for a long finish.
This bold red blend has enough balance and complexity to enjoy on its own as an aperitif. It is also a great choice to pair with baby back ribs, slow-roasted lamb shanks, or grilled veggies tossed with a rich romesco sauce.
Blend: 54% Petite Sirah, 27% Petit Verdot, 19% Teroldego
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This quietly impressive wine is deep and saturated but not showy, offering its incredibly concentrated black fruits and dark chocolate on a full body submerged in very fine-grained tannins. Made from Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot and Teroldego, it's delicious now but best from 2026–2035.
Editors' Choice -
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2020 Pillars of Hercules Giguiere Estate is a flavorful red blend with an excellent palate presence. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines with aromas and flavors of black fruit, rustic spices, and oaky nuances. Enjoy it with an old-fashioned beef stew. (Tasted: October 9, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
Other Vintages
2021-
Wong
Wilfred
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Wong
Wilfred -
Enthusiast
Wine
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
Mitigated by mild Sacramento River Delta breezes, the Dunnigan Hills appellation is in the northwest portion of Yolo County and has a Mediterranean climate.