Winemaker Notes
The wine is designed to express the essence of Grenache, offering vibrant fruit notes of wild strawberries alongside savory hints of herbs and spices, complemented by a rich mouthfeel and an impressively long finish. The addition of Mourvèdre and Syrah enhances the wine with depth, color, and age-worthy tannins. "Espérance" translates into "Hope" from French to English. With this wine, the winery "hopes" to not only recreate the great reds of Southern France, but they further "hope" to craft a wine that will inspire your senses the way we were inspired over two decades.
Blend: 65% Grenache Noir, 20% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Andrew Murray was a pioneering Rhone Ranger back when he was barely old enough to drink, and his experience continues to impress. This blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre and 15% Syrah begins with intense yet not overly ripe aromas of berry, cocoa nibs and gamy meats. The palate’s polished, elegant tannins offer lush flavors of candied strawberry, French toast and sandalwood.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the reds, the 2020 Espérance is a Rhône-like blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, and 15% Syrah. It has a deep ruby hue as well as a great nose of ripe black cherries, mulberries, roasted herbs, licorice, and some meaty, leathery notes. It's round, medium to full-bodied, has a great mid-palate, and ripe tannins on the finish. This textured, pleasure-bent, balanced beauty is well worth seeking out and will keep for 5-6 years, probably longer.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Ranging from cool and foggy in the west to warm and dry in the east, the Santa Ynez Valley is a climatically diverse growing area. The most expansive AVA within the larger Santa Barbara County region, Santa Ynez is also home to a wide variety of soil types and geographical features. The appellation is further divided into four distinct sub-AVAs—Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District and Happy Canyon—each with its own defining characteristics.
A wide selection of grapes is planted here—more than sixty different varieties, and counting. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir dominate in the chilly west, while Zinfandel, Rhône blends, and Bordeaux blends rule the arid east. Syrah is successful at both ends of the valley, with a lean and peppery, Old-World sensibility closer to the coast and lush berry fruit further inland.