Winemaker Notes
#34 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2025
Both bright and brooding; raspberry bramble, hibiscus tea, and floral chaparral aromatics highlight a supple core of pliable red fruits, sweet tobacco and smokey ripe cassis. Per usual appeal, this garnet red is charming and approachable offering delicate structure and feminine texture. Gravitas and poise.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 20% Mourvèdre, the 2023 GSM Santa Barbara County was completely destemmed and aged 10 months in neutral French oak. Juicy black cherries, kirsch, sappy flowers, and pepper are just some of the nuances in this medium-bodied, translucent ruby-hued beauty. On the palate, it shows terrific purity, with ripe, polished tannins and outstanding length. This sexy, pleasure-bent beauty is best enjoyed over the coming 7-8 years. Drink 2025-2032.
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a classically designed Rhône blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre, yet with the benefit of Santa Barbara's seaside sunshine. Plump aromas of black raspberry and plum burst on the nose across an elegant woodspice. The palate's fresh acidity weaves through rich red fruit, mace and star anise flavors.
Editors' Choice -
Wine Spectator
Elegant and deeply imbued with notes of violet and mace, this red offers a savory core of grilled rosemary, white pepper and graphite, along with rich, generous layers of wild strawberry and brambly raspberry that carry on through the finish around suave tannins. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 20% Mourvèdre, the 2023 GSM was vinified using destemmed fruit from the Zaca Mesa, Camp 4 and Watch Hill sites. A lush yet floral bouquet of dark fruits, bramble, black pepper and violets introduces a rich, inky and umami-tinged palate that remains light on its feet. It closes with a clean, bright and elegant finish grounded by a subtly gourmand core.
Beyond the usual suspects, there are hundreds of red grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines, while others are better suited for use as blending grapes. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles, offering much to be discovered by the curious wine lover. In particular, Portugal and Italy are known for having a multitude of unique varieties but they can really be found in any region.
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.