Winemaker Notes
COLOR: dark ruby AROMAS: cherry, red plum, black raspberry, Kirsch liqueur, lavender, baking spices, cinnamon, vanilla FLAVORS: black cherry, boysenberry, smoked herb, red currant, chocolate, vanilla
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Inspiration Red is more Mourvèdre-dominated and includes 27% Counoise, 26% Cinsault, and 5% Grenache. Up-front and already delicious, it has a Southern Rhône-like style in its darker berries, kirsch, savory herbs, and cured meat aromas and flavors. This medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced blend shows the purity as well as quality of the 2018 vintage.
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Wine Enthusiast
Violet- and lilac-sachet aromas meet with dark strawberry and Concord grape on the nose of this blend of 42% Mourvèdre, 27% Counoise, 26% Cinsault and 5% Grenache. Dark floral tones arise on the sip, from lavender to inky rose petal, with hints of brighter elderflower as well, all laid atop dark-plum fruit.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 Epiphany Inspiration is a powerful Rhône-style red blend. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers aromas and flavors of black fruit, hints of oak, spice, and tar. Enjoy it with an old-fashioned BBQ of chicken, pork, and beef. (Tasted: April 18, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
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.
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.