Winemaker Notes
Along with blackberry, this wine is loaded with black cherry, Australian black licorice and a smoked beef essence. Black berry, wild raspberry, anise and crème Brulée float across the palate.
Blend: 35% Syrah, 29% Zinfandel, 15% Petitie Sirah, 14% Grenache, 4% Mourvèdre, 3% Carignane
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2016 Smoke & Mirrors is a value-priced beauty that's packed with character. Black raspberries, spices, cedary herbs, and brambly notes all flow to a beautifully textured, voluptuous, decadent wine that has loads of fruit, no hard edges, and is just a joy to drink.
-
Connoisseurs' Guide
Exhibiting the all of the winery's signature richness, this year's version of Smoke & Mirrors is rife with boysenberries and plums with plenty of sweet oak in support and is an intensely flavorful mélange of varieties that keys first and last on unrelenting, juicy fruit. It is fleshy and full with nicely fit tannins that allow for easy accessibility now, and it is a wine that delivers loads to like at a price that earns it a place among the better values to be had in full-throttle red-Rhône blends.
-
Wine Spectator
A spunky red, zesty and plump, with blackberry, cured meat and cracked pepper flavors. Syrah, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignane. Drink now through 2023.
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!