Winemaker Notes
Aromas of cherry cola, boysenberry, and chocolate dipped blueberry. The palate is well balanced, medium bodied with well integrated tannins. There are notes of blackberry, mocha and boysenberry on the palate. The finish has lingering notes of mocha and graphite as well as candied cherry.
Blend: 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 7% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This well-structured but sleek Bordeaux blend from the Central Coast is brimming with sour-cherry and blackberry aromas. The gentle tannins are already well integrated and this has a very food-friendly balance. With a little more concentration, it would rate even higher.
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.
The warmest part of the greater San Benito AVA, but cooler than the Central Valley, the Paicines appellation excels in the production of concentrated and high-quality, red Bordeaux varietal wines and blends.