Winemaker Notes
After years of scouring grainy photos and peering through binoculars, you’ve found it: Bigfoot’s cave, deep in the Oregon woods. In you go, brandishing a Maglite and Glock 45. And there’s Sasquatch himself, seated in a Tuscan leather wingback chair, clawed feet on a matching ottoman, reading Wordsworth. He fetches a fresh blackberry pie, drizzles raw honey over the top, and others a slice. You spend the night gnawing thyme-laden venison jerky over granite countertops and swapping hunting stories. Before you go, be sure to snap a selfie. Maybe no one will notice the zipper on his chest.
Blend: 42% Syrah, 32% Mourvèdre, 18% Grenache, 8% Carignan
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This powerful blend of 42% Syrah, 32% Mourvèdre, 18% Grenache and 8% Carignan begins with aromas of roasted blackberry and stewed black currant—its rum barrel and fudge tones surrounded by rocky edges. Booming flavors of black-fruit pudding, milk chocolate and creme brûlée are upheld by upright tannins, though it may be too voluptuous to hold together for long.
California is a winemaking colossus; by itself it is the fourth largest producer in the world. Red wine accounts for 56% of the total by volume, and red grapes 63% of total acres planted. In addition, a number of California red wines are heralded as being among the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world.
While the state’s incredibly diverse geography, soils and microclimates allow for a wide array of styles, the key factor unifying California red wine is the abundance of sunshine and a long, consistent growing season. This leads to well-developed fruit marked both by impressive ripeness and balancing acidity.
The state’s most famous red wine region, of course, is Napa Valley, where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as king. But California boasts a wealth of other impressive appellations. The much larger and climatically varied Sonoma County also produces world class California Cabernet, along with wonderful examples of California Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.
Fine versions of Cabernet and Zinfandel hail from Paso Robles as well, which is also gaining fame with Rhone varietals like Syrah and Grenache. As for Pinot Noir, terrific examples can be found from AVA’s such as Anderson Valley, Carneros, Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills. Wineries in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties are making wonderful Syrahs, and the Sierra Foothill appellations are proving to be an experimental hotbed, with Italian and Spanish varietals employed to great effect.
This of course is a mere sketch. The subject of California red wine is as deep and broad as an ocean, and absolutely a joy to explore!