Shannon Ridge High Elevation Wrangler Red

Shannon Ridge High Elevation Wrangler Red is a multi-varietal California red blend from Lake County, bottled at 13.9% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2020 vintage earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, and the wine has collected medals at both the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the California State Fair across multiple releases.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.9%  |  Origin: Lake County, California  |  Style: Red Blend  |  Producer: Shannon Ridge Winery

Production & Heritage

Shannon Ridge Winery farms estate vineyards at approximately 2,200 feet above sea level in the mountains of California's North Coast, where ancient volcanic soils and dramatic diurnal temperature shifts shape the character of each vintage. The Wrangler Red blend shifts in composition from year to year—recent vintages have leaned on Petite Sirah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre, while earlier releases drew on Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. This flexibility allows the winemaking team to showcase the strongest lots from each harvest rather than adhering to a fixed formula, giving each vintage its own personality while maintaining the wine's signature dark-fruit intensity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark berries and blackcurrant lead the nose, followed by ripe cherry, tobacco leaf, and a thread of rich chocolate. A subtle peppery edge emerges as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is smooth and fruit-forward, with ripe blackberry and dusty cherry anchoring the mid-palate. Warm baking spices—cinnamon, vanilla, and a whisper of cedar—develop through the middle, supported by supple, polished tannins that keep the wine balanced without excessive grip.

Finish: Medium-long and silky, trailing off with sweet tobacco, mild oak spice, and lingering dark plum. The tannin structure resolves cleanly, leaving a lush impression rather than any harsh dryness.

How to Drink Wrangler Red

Pouring neat at cellar temperature (60–65°F) lets the full aromatic profile develop; a brief decant of 20–30 minutes can further soften the tannins. Sangria—the dark fruit and spice make a robust base for a red wine sangria with citrus and stone fruit. Kalimotxo—the wine's ripe berry sweetness pairs surprisingly well with cola over ice for a casual warm-weather drink. Red Wine Spritzer—a splash of sparkling water and a squeeze of orange open up the fruit for easy sipping on the patio.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want a versatile, food-friendly red without overthinking the pairing
• Introducing red blends to friends who typically reach for single-varietal wines
• Backyard barbecues and casual gatherings centered around grilled meats
• Building a mixed case of California reds that goes beyond Napa and Sonoma

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Wrangler Red taste like? It is a fruit-driven, medium- to full-bodied red dominated by ripe blackberry, dark cherry, and warm baking spices like cinnamon and vanilla. Supple tannins and a silky finish keep it smooth and approachable.

How does Wrangler Red compare to Apothic Red? Both are California red blends at a similar ABV, but Wrangler Red is estate-grown at high elevation on volcanic soils in Lake County, giving it more mineral-driven depth and a less overtly sweet profile. Apothic Red tends toward a sweeter, softer style with residual sugar, while Wrangler Red leans drier with more structured tannins.

Is Wrangler Red good for sipping neat? Yes—its balanced tannins, layered dark fruit, and moderate 13.9% ABV make it very comfortable as an everyday sipper without food, especially with a slight chill or short decant.

Where is Wrangler Red made? It is produced by Shannon Ridge Winery in Lake County, California, part of the broader North Coast AVA. The estate vineyards sit at roughly 2,200 feet above sea level in volcanic mountain terrain.

What foods pair well with Wrangler Red? Grilled tri-tip steak highlights the wine's smoky spice notes. Pulled pork sliders match its dark berry sweetness. Aged cheddar or Manchego echo the vanilla-cedar oak character. Mushroom risotto complements the earthy undertones. Dark chocolate brownies pair with the wine's cocoa and tobacco finish.

What sizes does Wrangler Red come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Wrangler Red worth the price? Wrangler Red positions squarely as a value-tier California red blend, delivering estate-grown, high-elevation fruit and a 90-point pedigree at an accessible price point that over-delivers relative to many mass-produced competitors in the category.

Why Wrangler Red?

High-elevation viticulture is the defining factor here. Growing grapes at 2,200 feet on ancient volcanic soils in Lake County produces fruit with concentrated flavor and natural acidity that many valley-floor blends simply cannot match at this price level. The 90-point score from Wine Enthusiast and consistent medal performance at major California competitions back that up with third-party validation. Add the winemaking team's vintage-to-vintage flexibility in blending—prioritizing the best available lots rather than a rigid recipe—and the result is a red blend that punches well above its weight class in both complexity and drinkability.