Ancient Peaks Paso Robles Oyster Ridge Red 2016
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Winemaker Notes
Each year, this cuvée comes from superior sections of Ancient Peaks' estate Margarita Vineyard that are fastidiously farmed to maximize the fruit’s potential and meet the standards of the Oyster Ridge program. The final blend is assembled from only those barrels that exhibit exemplary complexity, structure and aging potential, often resulting in an unconventional union of varietals.
The mouthfeel of this wine is broad and plush, framed by luscious accents of new oak. Lively acidity and long tannins converge with an impeccable balance on a sleek, structured finish.
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We look forward to each vintage of this Bordeaux blend, made with grapes grown in the southernmost vineyards of Paso Robles on the Ancient Peaks home ranch. With 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and smaller percentages of Petit Verdot, Cab Franc, and Malbec, the powerfully demonstrative red radiates charm through its intense floral aromatics of violets and jasmine. Broad strokes of white-peppered plum lick a chalky core as plums and their skins show up with serious but supple tannins.
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Wine Enthusiast
Concentrated aromas of blackberry jam, game, charred wood and cocoa show on the dynamic nose of this blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Malbec. The palate is hearty and meaty, offering flavors of blackberry syrup, woody incense and sandalwood, along with roasted beef.
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We are a family-owned winery specializing in estate-grown wines from Margarita Vineyard, the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles appellation on California’s Central Coast.
Just look at a map of Paso Robles wineries and at the very southern tip you will find our Vineyard. Here, amid the rugged Santa Lucia mountain range just 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean, Margarita Vineyard stands alone as the only vineyard in its vicinity, and thus the only vineyard to benefit from the extraordinary growing conditions of the area. Margarita Vineyard resides in the historic Santa Margarita Ranch, which was first planted to vines by Franciscan missionaries in 1774.
Ancient Peaks and Margarita Vineyard are owned by three longtime local winegrowing families—the Filipponis, Rossis and Wittstroms—who are actively involved in the daily operations of the vineyard and winery. Ancient Peaks wines are crafted under the guidance of Mike Sinor, a local winemaking veteran and one of the highest-rated winemakers on the Central Coast.
Ancient Peaks implements numerous sustainable viticultural practices to ensure natural quality in their wines while protecting the rich, native environment surrounding the Margarita Vineyard. Their practices have earned SIP (Sustainability in Practice) Certification for Margarita Vineyard, the leading standard for viticultural sustainability.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Composed of steep mountain slopes of ancient Salinas River origins at 900 to 1,400 feet in elevation, Santa Margarita Ranch is in the southern portion of the greater Paso Robles AVA.