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Benessere Vineyards in the News...
July 2019:
St. Helena Star / Napa Valley Vintners Panel Tasting - "Napa Valley's small but mighty white blizzard"
Benessere 2017 Pinot Grigio Napa Valley ($25)
"This Pinot Grigio is all melon and tart lemon pie goodness with super bright acidity that lifts the flavors on the tongue."
June 2019:
Benessere 2017 Pinot Grigio (Napa Valley)
"Bright, fresh and balanced, this is a fruity white with bold flavors of baked peach and apricot. A nutty undertone adds a touch of richness and texture." - Virginia Boone, Wine Enthusiast
Benessere Vineyards 2016 Collins Holystone Vineyard Zinfandel
90 points - Wine & Spirits (Year's Best Zinfandels & Mixed Blacks issue)
April 2019:
The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge
Benessere Vineyards 2016 Sangivoese - GOLD / 92 points, BEST OF THE BEST
February 2019:
Looking Back, Looking Forward: A Chat with John Benish of Benessere Vineyards, Grape Experiences
The Honest Pour with John Lenart - Ep 57: Ryan Shenk, Benessere Vineyards
January 2019:
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
2017 Benessere Vineyards, Rosato di Sangiovese, Estate - Double Gold Award Winner
2015 Benessere Vineyards, Phenomenon, Estate - Gold Award Winner
2016 Benessere Vineyards, Sangiovese, Estate - Silver Award Winner
2016 Benessere Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate - Silver Award Winner
2017 Benessere Vineyards, Pinot Grigio - Bronze Award Winner
2016 Benessere Vineyards, 'Black Glass Vineyard' Zinfandel, Estate - Bronze Award Winner
November 2018:
Benessere Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, St. Helena, 2016 - 90 points
"Blueberry and violet-like florals with wild thyme and blue-rose perfume. The medium-bodied palate has an array of fresh cassis in classic cabernet style. Drink or hold." - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
June 2018:
Benessere 2014 Phenomenon Red (St. Helena) - 90 points
"A hearty, rustic and well-made blend, this combines 39% estate-grown Merlot, 26% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Sangiovese. It tastes of blackberry and blueberry cobbler and dusty plum, with light touches of mocha that give it additional richness among its soft layers." - Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast
Benessere 2014 Estate Sagrantino (St. Helena) - 90 points
"This may be the only wine made from this variety in the Napa Valley—a boldly fruity, structured and powerful wine strong in tannin and oak. Layers of well-developed flavors are defined by blackberry, black pepper and cinnamon stick." - Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast
Benessere 2016 Estate Grown Moscato (St. Helena) - 90 points
"Sweet jasmine and honeysuckle aromas invite one into this dessert-wine experience, made from the producer's estate-grown Moscato di Canelli grapes. Thick viscous waves of floral orange blossom, honey and apricot contribute a rich rounded palate of light flavor." - Virginia Boone, Wine Enthusiast
May 2018: 2015 Benessere Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate St. Helena Vineyard - 91 Pts
"Aromas of fresh berry and light piecrust make for an easier introduction than many 2014s, yet the balance of gravel, dark berry, cedar and graphite notes bodes well for the future. Best from 2021 through 2030. 267 cases made." JL, Wine Spectator
March 2018: Aglianico Connections in the Napa Valley
St. Helena's Benessere Vineyards treats visitors to a Napa Welcome - Napa Register
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
2016 Benessere Vineyards, Pinot Grigio - "Best of Class" Award Winner
2016 Benessere Vineyards, Rosato di Sangiovese, Estate - "Best of Class" Award Winner
2015 Benessere Vineyards, Phenomenon, Estate, Red Blend - Silver Medal Award Winner
2015 Benessere Vineyards, Sangiovese, Estate - Bronze Medal Award Winner
August 2017 (issue): 2016 Benessere Vineyards, Rosato di Sangiovese - 90 points
"Orange-red in color, this wine is dry, meaty and weighty, with a broadness on the palate. Peach skin and flesh are strongly represented in flavor, feeling at once refreshing and bold enough to stand up well to food." - Wine Enthusiast
May 2017: St. Helena Star / Napa Valley Vintners tasting panel judges Napa Valley Rosé
"Benessere 2016 Sangiovese Rosé St. Helena is medium salmon (colored) and offers a fun mix of lemon citrus, strawberry and mineral character with a playful bite of spice on the finish." - St. Helena Star
January 2017: San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
2015 Benessere Vineyards, Pinot Grigio, Estate - Gold Medal Award Winner
2014 Benessere Vineyards, Sangiovese, Estate - Silver Medal Award Winner
2014 Benessere Vineyards, Zinfandel, Estate Black Glass Vineyard - Silver Medal Award Winner
January / February 2017 (issue): Benessere Vineyards 2014 Zinfandel, Estate Black Glass Vineyard - 91 points
"Fresh, silky and showing boysenberry, cherry and black raspberry, juicy and tangy with ripe, racy fruit flavors; crisp and long." - Anthnoy Dias Blue, The Tasting Panel Magazine
December 2016 (issue): 2014 Benessere Vineyards, Moscato di Canelli - 92 Pts
"With a beautiful honeysuckle nose, this dessert offering of 100% Moscato di Canelli is simply divine. Bright acidity balances against bold waves of honeycomb and gingerbread, alongside pear compote. It should be mandatory to serve it over ice cream." - Wine Enthusiast
June 2016 (issue): 2013 Benessere Vineyards, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - 90 Pts
"A softly layered, elegant estate wine, this slowly reveals shocks of cherry, vanilla and coconut. A tanginess to the tannins gives it an oomph of verve and freshness on the palate." - Wine Enthusiast
May 2016 (issue): 2013 Benessere Vineyards, Estate Sangiovese - 91 Pts
"This 100% varietal wine celebrates what the variety can do when planted in the right place. Remarkable layers of dried plum and cherry come with additional flavors of cocoa powder, coffee and leather. Smooth and medium bodied, it has a grip of tannin on the finish that mellows going down." - Wine Enthusiast
April 9, 2016: Benessere Vineyards takes 4th place (out of 23 teams) at the 2016 bASH event
February 2016: 2013 Benessere Vineyards, Estate Black Glass Zinfandel - 90 points
"Juicy and dense with ripe raspberry, cassis and spice; silky, earthy and long with bramble and nice balance." - The Tasting Panel
February 2016: 2013 Benessere Vineyards, Estate Sangiovese - 90 points
"Smooth and spicy with earthy notes; wild cherry, leather and violets; long and lifted." - The Tasting Panel
January 2016: 2012 Benessere Vineyards Sagrantino - DOUBLE GOLD Medal
We are proud to have won the only DOUBLE GOLD Medal awarded to any Sagrantino in this international competition! - San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition