Winemaker Notes
The 2016 vintage of this classic Rhône blend is 56% Grenache and 44% Syrah. Grenache adds red fruit flavors and complementary spice while Syrah brings balance and contributes to the depth of this wine's opaque purple color.
FOOD PAIRING:
This versatile blend can be paired with roast meats, hearty game, mature cheese or dishes with spice.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2016 Revelation checks in as a blend of 56% Grenache and 44% Syrah that spent 20 months in 40% new French oak. Deep purple/ruby-colored, with notes of black raspberries, spiced plums, smoked game, crushed flowers, and peppery herbs, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, plenty of upfront fruit, no hard edges, and terrific purity. It's certainly the finest vintage of this cuvée I've tasted.
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Wine Enthusiast
Dark black-currant and gingerbread spice aromas show on the nose of this single-vineyard blend of 56% Grenache and 44% Syrah. It's rich and unctuous on the palate, with cassis and violet flavors. It is attention-grabbing yet also balanced by acidity and a subtle structure.
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Wine & Spirits
About equal parts grenache and syrah, this is heady and intense, with scents of black plums and olive skin. It’s deep and brooding, with the power for grilled sausages.
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.