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Michel-Schlumberger began with a singular vision. In 1979, Swiss native Jean-Jacques Michel traveled across Northern California searching for a site capable of delivering both power and finesse. He found it in Dry Creek Valley, where the climate, soils, and contoured exposures of Wine Creek Canyon offered rare conditions for expressive red wines. From the start, the focus was clear: craft distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Pinot Blanc shaped by site rather than excess.

In 1991, Jacques Pierre Schlumberger joined the estate, bringing with him more than 400 years of winemaking heritage from Alsace, France. That partnership gave rise to the Michel-Schlumberger identity, blending Old World discipline with a distinctly Californian sense of place. Over time, the winery earned international recognition for wines defined by balance, structure, and clarity.

The estate’s 61 acres of benchland and hillside vineyards, located just 17 miles from the Pacific Ocean, benefit from a subtle coastal influence that promotes slow, even ripening. Careful spacing, trellising, and clone selection allow each site to express its character, producing wines that are elegant, polished, and unmistakably Dry Creek Valley.

 Sustainability remains central to the estate’s philosophy, reinforced by a solar energy system that powers the winery and underscores its long-term commitment to the land.

2018 Maison Rouge embodies this approach with a style that is bold yet composed. Fruit-forward and layered, it delivers generous red and dark fruit supported by polished tannins and a well-structured core. It’s a wine designed to showcase the estate’s ability to balance California generosity with European restraint, offering depth, approachability, and a clear sense of place in every glass.

Aged for 26 months in French oak barrels (10% new).

ABV: 14.6%

42% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot, 16% Cab Franc, 12% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

A deep ruby hue and an expressive bouquet of ripe cherry, Santa Rosa plum, and black currant, lifted by floral spice and cedar accents. On the palate, the wine delivers rich, layered red and dark fruit, framed by polished tannins and a bold, well-structured core.

Subtle spice and earthy notes add complexity while the finish remains lingering and balanced, showcasing classic Dry Creek Valley character with a fruit-forward yet structured drive.

NYR

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