Winemaker Notes
Inspiration is red Rhône blend inspired by the outstanding blends produced out of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region in Southeastern France. It's an approachable wine with a medium body, fresh fruit characteristics and smooth finish. On the nose you'll find inviting aromas of strawberry, black cherry, dried herbs, cinnamon, vanilla, caramel and nutmeg. Bright red fruit flavors, vanilla and baking spices grace the palate. Inspiration Red will pair well with a wide variety of foods, from grilled steak and lamb, to stews and rich seafood dishes.
Blend: 28% Mourvèdre, 26% Grenache, 24% Cinsaut, 19% Counoise, 3% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2020 Inspiration Red is based on 28% Mourvèdre, 26% Grenache, 24% Cinsault, 19% Counoise, and the rest Syrah. This translucent ruby/plum-hued 2020 has outstanding aromatics of ripe black cherries, leather, sandalwood, and gamey, spicy herbs as well as medium-bodied richness and depth on the palate. It’s textured, has fine-grained tannins, and outstanding length. It really shows its Mourvèdre component today, and I love its complexity.
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Wine Enthusiast
Blistered cranberry, toasted fennel and sanguine aromas show on the nose of this blend of 28% Mourvèdre, 26% Grenache, 24% Cinsaut, 19% Counoise and 3% Syrah. The toasted herb note carries through the palate, where fresh currant and raspberry flavors meet with cracked-pepper spices.
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.