The Grigsby Vineyard is a Yountville AVA wine in Stag’s Leap Wine District clothing. While it is in the Yountville AVA, just yards away is the border of the Stag’s Leap AVA and the Grigsby Vineyard is decidedly more Stag’s Leap in style than Yountville. The 2013 Grigsby Vineyard Syrah is rich and powerful and will age for years to come. The tannins are substantial, but rich and round just as you would expect from vineyards in this area. Located just minutes from the heart of Yountville, the Grigsby Vineyard is organically farmed and is one of the few great Syrah vineyards left in the Napa Valley. The 2013 Cornerstone Cellars Yountville Syrah, Grigsby Vineyard, Napa Valley is 100% syrah.
Which vintage was better, 2012 or 2013? The answer for the rational wine lover is neither, they were both superb. Mother Nature threw no curve balls at all to Napa Valley winegrowers in 2013. The only possible complaint that could be made was that there was too much off a good thing and some let their sugars go over the top. That’s not an issue at Cornerstone Cellars as we pick earlier than most anyway as we seek to make elegant, balanced wines. Simply put, the 2013 is an exceptional vintage for those that did not let their fruit get overripe. Our 2013s are classic, cellar worthy wines that will improve for many years to come.
This rich, powerful and dramatic 100% Syrah should be paired with the biggest steaks you can find in its youth, but with age will become even more layered and complex.
Winery: Cornerstone Cellars
Founder: Michael Dragustky
Founded: 1991
Location: Napa Valley, CA
Celebrating Napa Benchland & Mountain Terroirs Since 1991
In 1991 Michael Dragutsky embarked on a quest to deliver on the potential he saw in a select few of Napa Valley’s finest mountain and benchland Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. Since that time, our signature winemaking style of firm structure and nuanced texture have attracted an ever-growing number of Cornerstone Cellars admirers while remaining true to Napa’s robust, delicious wine profile on the world wine stage.
Twenty-six years in, the next generation of Cornerstone Cellars sales and winemaking teams bring to market a diverse portfolio of Cabernet Sauvignon wines –of which each one delivers a focused flavor profile - with realistic pricing to match. Now more than ever, we are resolved to implement a long-term brand development strategy and to constantly renew our commitment to that original winemaking ideology and style.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, KS, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2013 Cornerstone Cellars Syrah - $60 = 16.67%
Good morning from Cornerstone Cellars! We hope you enjoy this offer. ALSO anyone that purchases the 3 bottles will be offered 2 complimentary VIP tasting the next time they visit the Napa Valley - Case Purchases = 4 complimentary VIP tastings. : )
@Cornerstone Thanks for dropping in, with some nice additional enticements as well.
It’s unusually quiet, we’re normally much more chatty. Hopefully we’ll get a lab-rat report posted to stir up some conversation.
@Cornerstone that is a fantastic bonus offer!! Since we’ll be in Napa in May, i might take you up on this. Is the tasting you had in mind the one listed on your webpage? or something different?
@radiolysis We host tastings Wed-Sunday and this would be a food and wine pairing that is not currently up on the website it’s a special VIP experience that we offer our top club members and visiting trade guests.
Gotta love a good syrah - and especially one from a Rhone Ranger member! Congrats for being on here, @cornerstone, and I hope this goes wonderfully for you!
@rjquillin well, I know the quality of the wines that Cornerstone puts out in general, but have not tried this specific wine. I have enjoyed tasting their syrahs in the past at Rhone Rangers tastings. Perhaps @cornerstone can offer up a bit more in terms of ‘characteristics’ of this particular wine. I don’t know what their oak treatment is; I’m not sure if this site tends to show more ‘cool climate’ vs ‘warm climate’ characteristics; and not sure who else uses the fruit, which could be helpful. Sorry I can’t be more specific but hopefully cornerstone gets on here and provides more info (as you know I would ) Cheers!
This is a lab rat report. I received this bottle from UPS as I was heading out the door to be a chief judge at the New World International Competition in Ontario, CA. So, the wine was tasted by a number of qualified wine judges. This is what we came up with.
Something a winemaker/winery owner would notice, wonderful packaging with an extremely high-quality cork. The first pour of the wine shows an inky blood red color, typical of good Syrah. First swirl of the wine in the glass shows dark colored thick legs forming on the side of the glass. First hint of an extractive style. On the nose the wine is varietal for a ripe but not overly ripe style Syrah. Clean and fresh on the nose, you get ripe forward dark fruit, juicy, plum, raspberry gum drops, chocolate, mincemeat and a varietally fleshy note like a Rhone Cote Rotie.
Famous wine legend of BV, Andre Tchelistcheff said “If you can smell the oak barrel in the wine, you have lost the wine.” This wine shows American oak aging, but it is not overly noticeable in the nose and can only be detected in the taste after the wine has been in the glass for a few hours. This leaves the winemaker with a better ability to craft the wine to where it can tell its story of place, varietal and vintage.
On the palette, a rich full bodied ripe wine with good acidity. This is a good example of well made “New World” style wine. I usually don’t enjoy new world wines unless they have good acidity, no noticeable mega red and are dry. This one does all three. The acidity in this wine creates a balance that allows the wine to express its varietal character on the center and finish making a wine that will have enough acid to compliment a meal. I get cranberry’s, plums, dates, golden raisins, red liquorish in a creamy texture.
The next morning after the wine had been open for 12+ hours, a little of the heat dissipates. The wine holds up well, which tells me I can age it in my cellar for a number of years. Now I get black cherry, tree bark, leather and cherry tobacco with the wine finishing with firm tannins. All characters I expect from a Rhone style Syrah.
@ScottHarveyWine now THAT’S a lab report!!! So removing all of the ‘wine judging’ jargon, it seemed like you liked the wine - in a more modern style. So this would not be confused with a cool climate Northern Rhone syrah nor with an Aussie ‘fruit bomb’, correct?
@ScottHarveyWine Interesting. I really don’t think of ‘Napa’ as ‘syrah-country’ if you know what I mean. But that said, what I guess that means is that it is a very well made, polished wine that is certain to please most palates, including wine geeks. True? Cheers!
@ScottHarveyWine In for 3 based on your great tasting notes. Will make for an interesting side-by-side comparison with some 2010 Rhone I have, one of which is also 100% Syrah.
This labrat report is effective in telling you what the wine is and what the wine is not. I don’t stock up on new world wines but Scott’s description of acidity, dryness and lack of mega red put me over to the buy side. Vegas mates, anyone want a bottle?
@XsanityX I’m still thinking on this one. I really love the notes. Then I hear new world and get all ???. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to have a bottle with some coffee crusted steaks and balsamic glazed nuts over a salad… fine count me in for 1.
Secondary Lab Rat reporting for duty. I did get a chance to read Scott’s review. Interesting how we can taste some of the same things and come to different conclusions. Not about the wine though…the summation is the same, this is a wonderful wine.
@coffeemate12 and I missed the notice that we were getting a lab rat bottle and only noticed after FedEx missed delivering our wine without a signature. We picked up the wine on Thursday and let it rest until Friday. We tried to entice @markdaspark and T-Byrd for a last minute taste-a-thon at a local restaurant but we were too late to get their notice. So, alas, it was up to SWMBO and I to tackle on our own. The things we do for this community.
Upon pouring, we were both dazzled by the dark inky purple hue of the pour. It was downright gorgeous. On the nose we weren’t getting a lot of fruit, just some tobacco and dust. Initial taste upon opening was dark muted fruit with a long finish and really nice mouth feel.
We let the wine sit while prepping dinner with occasional sips. After about 45 minutes we had the same nose but more of the fruit was showing up to the party. Another hour later and the wine seemed to shut down a bit but it started coming back up to shine just as we hit the end of the bottle.
We both really enjoyed this one. It was a soft toned offering in a style we really liked. I usually equate “new world” with bold, in your face, fruit and a more aggressive wine making style (not that there’s anything wrong with that). So based on that I thought this wine had a more old world feel to it. But trust Scott on that one…he’s actually had more old world wine than we’ve had.
If you like your Syrahs peppery, look elsewhere. If you like nice subtle wine-making, ding ding ding, we have a winner.
@javadrinker So what I get from the rattage of both you and @ScottHarveyWine is that this is Schrödinger’s wine and it’s good no matter your palate. Hmmmm, that’s pretty persuasive.
Anyone in the Boston/Mass area up to split anything? I’d love to split a 3-pack, but could be convinced to split a 12 pack if enough people are in on it…
San Diego area want any of a case? Sounds like i’ll be buying some to get the tasting coupons, so let me know if anyone wants to join on a case. I’ll see what interest we have by this afternoon.
@rjquillin picked up the case today. it worked out well when we met up and did multiple swaps between ‘mates. Let me know a little ahead and we can get a big ol’ swap going.
Also, i think UTC added parking fees for all lots, so we’ll need a new place. I’ll scope that out.
@StingingJ I’d be interested but only want 4 bottles. I was considering buying the 3 pack but haven’t yet. I have too much wine but not a lot of Syrah…
Tasting Notes
The Grigsby Vineyard is a Yountville AVA wine in Stag’s Leap Wine District clothing. While it is in the Yountville AVA, just yards away is the border of the Stag’s Leap AVA and the Grigsby Vineyard is decidedly more Stag’s Leap in style than Yountville. The 2013 Grigsby Vineyard Syrah is rich and powerful and will age for years to come. The tannins are substantial, but rich and round just as you would expect from vineyards in this area. Located just minutes from the heart of Yountville, the Grigsby Vineyard is organically farmed and is one of the few great Syrah vineyards left in the Napa Valley. The 2013 Cornerstone Cellars Yountville Syrah, Grigsby Vineyard, Napa Valley is 100% syrah.
Which vintage was better, 2012 or 2013? The answer for the rational wine lover is neither, they were both superb. Mother Nature threw no curve balls at all to Napa Valley winegrowers in 2013. The only possible complaint that could be made was that there was too much off a good thing and some let their sugars go over the top. That’s not an issue at Cornerstone Cellars as we pick earlier than most anyway as we seek to make elegant, balanced wines. Simply put, the 2013 is an exceptional vintage for those that did not let their fruit get overripe. Our 2013s are classic, cellar worthy wines that will improve for many years to come.
This rich, powerful and dramatic 100% Syrah should be paired with the biggest steaks you can find in its youth, but with age will become even more layered and complex.
Specifications
Price Comparison
$637.50/case at Cornerstone Cellars (including shipping)
About The Winery
Winery: Cornerstone Cellars
Founder: Michael Dragustky
Founded: 1991
Location: Napa Valley, CA
Celebrating Napa Benchland & Mountain Terroirs Since 1991
In 1991 Michael Dragutsky embarked on a quest to deliver on the potential he saw in a select few of Napa Valley’s finest mountain and benchland Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. Since that time, our signature winemaking style of firm structure and nuanced texture have attracted an ever-growing number of Cornerstone Cellars admirers while remaining true to Napa’s robust, delicious wine profile on the world wine stage.
Twenty-six years in, the next generation of Cornerstone Cellars sales and winemaking teams bring to market a diverse portfolio of Cabernet Sauvignon wines –of which each one delivers a focused flavor profile - with realistic pricing to match. Now more than ever, we are resolved to implement a long-term brand development strategy and to constantly renew our commitment to that original winemaking ideology and style.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, KS, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, Mar 8 - Monday, Mar 12
@Cornerstone is here to mingle!
(Check out their User Profile for recent activity.)
@ScottHarveyWine brings us the first LabRat Report for this offer.
Our second LabRat Report comes from @javadrinker.
Cornerstone Cellars Syrah
3 bottles for $89.99 $30/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $299.99 $25/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2013 Cornerstone Cellars Syrah Grigsby Vineyard New
2013 Cornerstone Cellars Syrah Grigsby Vineyard Old
Grigsby vineyard…
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2013 Cornerstone Cellars Syrah - $60 = 16.67%
Am I the only one the display is broken for?
@Cerridwyn only one purchase!?
@rjquillin
well the descriptions just now came up.
still shows no bottles purchased
maybe they went oops
@Cerridwyn They were there for me at rollover.
FL is lit up.
Still, way too quiet.
@rjquillin
wasn’t for me, was a half blank page until about 6 AM pacific and even then bottom half didn’t display (i didn’t look till after work)
weirdness, guess no oshit on this one
Good morning from Cornerstone Cellars! We hope you enjoy this offer. ALSO anyone that purchases the 3 bottles will be offered 2 complimentary VIP tasting the next time they visit the Napa Valley - Case Purchases = 4 complimentary VIP tastings. : )
@Cornerstone Thanks for dropping in, with some nice additional enticements as well.
It’s unusually quiet, we’re normally much more chatty. Hopefully we’ll get a lab-rat report posted to stir up some conversation.
@rjquillin Thanks! I thought it seemed pretty quiet as well - However, some people might have had tech issues when first posted?
@Cornerstone that is a fantastic bonus offer!! Since we’ll be in Napa in May, i might take you up on this. Is the tasting you had in mind the one listed on your webpage? or something different?
@Cornerstone I am on my way to Napa in April. What does 4 VIP tastings entail?
@radiolysis We host tastings Wed-Sunday and this would be a food and wine pairing that is not currently up on the website it’s a special VIP experience that we offer our top club members and visiting trade guests.
@Twich22 We host tastings Wed-Sunday and this would be a food and wine pairing. Hope we get to see you!
@Cornerstone Awesome. How do I schedule it?
@Cornerstone @Twich22 I’m curious too!
Dang, I’ve been looking for a syrah, but no MD.
@marla25 was debating having shipping to family in PA and rerouted to York walgreens.
Gotta love a good syrah - and especially one from a Rhone Ranger member! Congrats for being on here, @cornerstone, and I hope this goes wonderfully for you!
@tercerowines Larry, since we don’t (yet) have any rat reports, might you have any comments to help out here?
@rjquillin well, I know the quality of the wines that Cornerstone puts out in general, but have not tried this specific wine. I have enjoyed tasting their syrahs in the past at Rhone Rangers tastings. Perhaps @cornerstone can offer up a bit more in terms of ‘characteristics’ of this particular wine. I don’t know what their oak treatment is; I’m not sure if this site tends to show more ‘cool climate’ vs ‘warm climate’ characteristics; and not sure who else uses the fruit, which could be helpful. Sorry I can’t be more specific but hopefully cornerstone gets on here and provides more info (as you know I would
) Cheers!
Anybody in South FL want to split the case on this?
This is a lab rat report. I received this bottle from UPS as I was heading out the door to be a chief judge at the New World International Competition in Ontario, CA. So, the wine was tasted by a number of qualified wine judges. This is what we came up with.
Something a winemaker/winery owner would notice, wonderful packaging with an extremely high-quality cork. The first pour of the wine shows an inky blood red color, typical of good Syrah. First swirl of the wine in the glass shows dark colored thick legs forming on the side of the glass. First hint of an extractive style. On the nose the wine is varietal for a ripe but not overly ripe style Syrah. Clean and fresh on the nose, you get ripe forward dark fruit, juicy, plum, raspberry gum drops, chocolate, mincemeat and a varietally fleshy note like a Rhone Cote Rotie.
Famous wine legend of BV, Andre Tchelistcheff said “If you can smell the oak barrel in the wine, you have lost the wine.” This wine shows American oak aging, but it is not overly noticeable in the nose and can only be detected in the taste after the wine has been in the glass for a few hours. This leaves the winemaker with a better ability to craft the wine to where it can tell its story of place, varietal and vintage.
On the palette, a rich full bodied ripe wine with good acidity. This is a good example of well made “New World” style wine. I usually don’t enjoy new world wines unless they have good acidity, no noticeable mega red and are dry. This one does all three. The acidity in this wine creates a balance that allows the wine to express its varietal character on the center and finish making a wine that will have enough acid to compliment a meal. I get cranberry’s, plums, dates, golden raisins, red liquorish in a creamy texture.
The next morning after the wine had been open for 12+ hours, a little of the heat dissipates. The wine holds up well, which tells me I can age it in my cellar for a number of years. Now I get black cherry, tree bark, leather and cherry tobacco with the wine finishing with firm tannins. All characters I expect from a Rhone style Syrah.
@ScottHarveyWine thank you for your notes!
@ScottHarveyWine now THAT’S a lab report!!! So removing all of the ‘wine judging’ jargon, it seemed like you liked the wine - in a more modern style. So this would not be confused with a cool climate Northern Rhone syrah nor with an Aussie ‘fruit bomb’, correct?
@tercerowines I think the says more “I’m Napa Valley” than anything else. I do get more characteristics of a Rhone wine than an Aussie wine.
@ScottHarveyWine Interesting. I really don’t think of ‘Napa’ as ‘syrah-country’ if you know what I mean. But that said, what I guess that means is that it is a very well made, polished wine that is certain to please most palates, including wine geeks. True? Cheers!
@ScottHarveyWine Dang Scott; great notes here and super you were able to share with the other judges.
So many questions to formulate after reading this…
@ScottHarveyWine @tercerowines Waiting for Scott Harvey’s response / official stamp of approval (my favorite wine producer).
@InVinoVeritas @ScottHarveyWine I think he gave it above, my friend
@tercerowines Well made, especially if you like wines tending more towards the “New World” style.
@ScottHarveyWine Thank you! That’s a “Capybara Report.”
@ScottHarveyWine hey now, someone has to be the palate/palette police! Seriously, thanks for the notes. Kind of where I thought this wine would trend.
@ScottHarveyWine Scott’s right (of course, Scott’s right!)- Aside from being an excellent wine, Cornerstone’s packaging is wonderful!
@ScottHarveyWine I need no second lab report. XXOO
@ScottHarveyWine Thank you for the kind review!
@Cornerstone To bad you didn’t enter it in the Jerry Mead New World International Wine Competition. I think it would have done well.
@ScottHarveyWine Great report, Scott! Thanks!
@NightGhost @ScottHarveyWine
Lab Rats of unusual size?
Scott, thanks for reporting in on this wine and we are looking forward to seeing you back in Wooster, Ohio this May!
@ScottHarveyWine In for 3 based on your great tasting notes. Will make for an interesting side-by-side comparison with some 2010 Rhone I have, one of which is also 100% Syrah.
@chipgreen @NightGhost @ScottHarveyWine I heard it was moving to Casemater, Ohio.
NYC In for a case, per Scott Harvey. Let me know if you want to split.
Cornerstone Cellars has long been one of my all-time favorites! Anyone in the Knoxville, TN area interested in a split?
Had to sit out the last few for lack of shipping to PA, this sounds way too good to resist! Love Rhône style wines.
@fredpgh welcome to my world
This labrat report is effective in telling you what the wine is and what the wine is not. I don’t stock up on new world wines but Scott’s description of acidity, dryness and lack of mega red put me over to the buy side. Vegas mates, anyone want a bottle?
@XsanityX I’m still thinking on this one. I really love the notes. Then I hear new world and get all ???. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to have a bottle with some coffee crusted steaks and balsamic glazed nuts over a salad… fine count me in for 1.
this wine is ready now IMO. I dug this wine.
/giphy merry-blurry-crocodile
Secondary Lab Rat reporting for duty. I did get a chance to read Scott’s review. Interesting how we can taste some of the same things and come to different conclusions. Not about the wine though…the summation is the same, this is a wonderful wine.
@coffeemate12 and I missed the notice that we were getting a lab rat bottle and only noticed after FedEx missed delivering our wine without a signature. We picked up the wine on Thursday and let it rest until Friday. We tried to entice @markdaspark and T-Byrd for a last minute taste-a-thon at a local restaurant but we were too late to get their notice. So, alas, it was up to SWMBO and I to tackle on our own. The things we do for this community.
Upon pouring, we were both dazzled by the dark inky purple hue of the pour. It was downright gorgeous. On the nose we weren’t getting a lot of fruit, just some tobacco and dust. Initial taste upon opening was dark muted fruit with a long finish and really nice mouth feel.
We let the wine sit while prepping dinner with occasional sips. After about 45 minutes we had the same nose but more of the fruit was showing up to the party. Another hour later and the wine seemed to shut down a bit but it started coming back up to shine just as we hit the end of the bottle.
We both really enjoyed this one. It was a soft toned offering in a style we really liked. I usually equate “new world” with bold, in your face, fruit and a more aggressive wine making style (not that there’s anything wrong with that). So based on that I thought this wine had a more old world feel to it. But trust Scott on that one…he’s actually had more old world wine than we’ve had.
If you like your Syrahs peppery, look elsewhere. If you like nice subtle wine-making, ding ding ding, we have a winner.
@javadrinker So what I get from the rattage of both you and @ScottHarveyWine is that this is Schrödinger’s wine and it’s good no matter your palate. Hmmmm, that’s pretty persuasive.
Oh, and…
/giphy friendly-veritable-sweater
What say yea DFW peeps? Seeing Stags leap being mentioned in the email caught my eye…even if it’s next door… and then Scott Harvey’s labrat review?
@MSUMike i’d be in for 2-4 bottles depending on if you get more interested.
@MSUMike I’m in for 3-4 as well. Love me some Single Vyd Syrah.
@MSUMike @rainybank I’ve got a 4th to join. 3 bottles each work for you both? If so, I’ll take care of this case and we can coordinate delivery, etc.
@johnnelson7333 @MSUMike That would be great!
@johnnelson7333 sounds great. PRESS THA BUTTON!!!
WTF. This website is costing me way more than Woot ever did.
/giphy fluent-wordy-stamp
@Twich22 better offers! Less fillers imo
@losthighwayz @Twich22 And that’s on top of saving thirty bucks!
@Twich22 Come, join the Dark Side.
If you haven’t already…
Anyone in the San Gabriel valley Los Angeles area want to split one case? 4 minimum
@calvinko805 sure. I’ll take 4
Anyone in the Boston/Mass area up to split anything? I’d love to split a 3-pack, but could be convinced to split a 12 pack if enough people are in on it…
@djy2g33 I’m on the Cape and not so keen about this offer, so no. IN the future maybe a South Coast group could be organized.
Any SE MI want to split 3-4 ways?
Anyone near Broomfield, CO interested in splitting a case?
@dmyers314 I’m a little late but I would take three, also Broomfield.
@dmyers314 Unfortunately, this offer appears to be over.
@dmyers314 Yeah, I guess I was a little late, lol.
San Diego area want any of a case? Sounds like i’ll be buying some to get the tasting coupons, so let me know if anyone wants to join on a case. I’ll see what interest we have by this afternoon.
@radiolysis Don’t want to go in heavy, four max, but that may help bit.
@rjquillin it does! thanks.
@rjquillin And if anyone else wants San Diego bottles, let me know.
/giphy abrupt-terrified-committee
@rjquillin picked up the case today. it worked out well when we met up and did multiple swaps between ‘mates. Let me know a little ahead and we can get a big ol’ swap going.
Also, i think UTC added parking fees for all lots, so we’ll need a new place. I’ll scope that out.
Back in 2010, I got Cornerstone Howell Mountain Cab for $32 a bottle on Woot.com. What do all of you think since this is for a Syrah
@calvinko805 it’s delicious right now.
@Winedavid49 Sounds good, I got a case, still waiting for someone nearby to split it with me.
I would like to split a case with folks in Seattle. I like the winery but only have room for 6 or so. Anyone up for it?
@StingingJ I’d be interested but only want 4 bottles. I was considering buying the 3 pack but haven’t yet. I have too much wine but not a lot of Syrah…
@lindylouwho ok, i bought a case. If anyone else in Seattle wants a couple bottles please let me know!
@StingingJ Great! Thanks for taking the plunge… We can coordinate later at either a get together or 1 on 1 if you need to free up some space…
After that Scott Harvey review…
/giphy eligible-meticulous-potluck
/giphy minty-textured-stamp
/giphy nice-parasitic-cord
