Winemaker Notes
Chocolate covered Emily, the moments before a volcano erupts, cranberry stalagmites, love cutlets, rhubarians, freshly trampled blackberry bush
Blend: 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Tempranillo, 15% Barbera, 10% Sangiovese, 10% Alicante Bouschet, 10% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Soothsayer is a blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Tempranillo, 15% Barbera, 10% Sangiovese, 10% Alicante Bouschet and 10% Cabernet Franc matured for 21 months in about one-third new French oak. Its tricolored fruit—blackcurrant, red cherry and boysenberry—is complemented by accents of vanilla, charcuterie, licorice and earth. The full-bodied palate offers ripe yet not over-the-top flavors. It has supple, approachable tannins, mouthwatering acidity and a long, nuanced finish laced with floral and spice tones.
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine is worth tossing in the cellar for a few years just to see what the kitchensink blend of six grapes from seven different vineyards can do. Aromas of blackberry, cocoa, mushroom and oak lead from the nose into a palate of ripe but tart baked blueberry and toasty espresso bean.
California is a winemaking colossus; by itself it is the fourth largest producer in the world. Red wine accounts for 56% of the total by volume, and red grapes 63% of total acres planted. In addition, a number of California red wines are heralded as being among the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world.
While the state’s incredibly diverse geography, soils and microclimates allow for a wide array of styles, the key factor unifying California red wine is the abundance of sunshine and a long, consistent growing season. This leads to well-developed fruit marked both by impressive ripeness and balancing acidity.
The state’s most famous red wine region, of course, is Napa Valley, where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as king. But California boasts a wealth of other impressive appellations. The much larger and climatically varied Sonoma County also produces world class California Cabernet, along with wonderful examples of California Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.
Fine versions of Cabernet and Zinfandel hail from Paso Robles as well, which is also gaining fame with Rhone varietals like Syrah and Grenache. As for Pinot Noir, terrific examples can be found from AVA’s such as Anderson Valley, Carneros, Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills. Wineries in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties are making wonderful Syrahs, and the Sierra Foothill appellations are proving to be an experimental hotbed, with Italian and Spanish varietals employed to great effect.
This of course is a mere sketch. The subject of California red wine is as deep and broad as an ocean, and absolutely a joy to explore!