Law Estate Wines Beyond Category 2016
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Wine
Enthusiast -
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
Product Details
Your Rating
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Winemaker Notes
#75 Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2019
56% Tempranillo, 24% Grenache, 20% Graciano Beyond Category is a wine for collectors and enthusiasts alike, being the most stand out cuvee amongst its peers. Its distinction and finesse are noticeable with the first sip; Graciano fills the mid-palate with electricity and tension, complimenting the silken and brilliant textures of our Tempranillo. Experience the infinite balance of violet and dark fruits, in a symphony of ample, yet silky and exceptionally well-integrated tannins. Chalk this blend up to a classic that will test your patience in not opening immediately.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This atypical blend of 56% Tempranillo, 24% Grenache and 20% Graciano begins with impressive density to the nose, where aromas of concentrated violet and blackberry paste converge. The palate's immense yet balanced concentration carries cassis and black-cherry flavors into waves of lavender and singed oak. The tannins will uphold these flavors for years. Drink 2020–2031.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based largely on Tempranillo yet with 24% Grenache and 20% Graciano, the 2016 Beyond Category is another inky colored wine offering notes of blackberries, dark chocolate, scorched earth, and charred meats. It’s ripe and full-bodied, with beautiful mid-palate density and building tannins. Give it a year or two and enjoy over the following decade. Rating: 94+
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Beyond Category is composed of 56% Tempranillo, 24% Grenache and 20% Graciano aged 22 months in 46% new French oak. It has a deep ruby color and scents of blackcurrants, boysenberries and blueberries with notes of mint chocolate, Italian plums, charcuterie, pepper and coffee bean. The palate is medium to full-bodied, dense and packed with fruit, finely grained and with a long, surprisingly lifted finish.
Other Vintages
2018-
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
Committed to making exceptional wines through sustainable and organic farming practices with minimal inputs. Law Estate Wines is located above Peachy Canyon Road on the west side of Paso Robles, the vineyard is one of the highest in the area at 1,600 to 1,900 feet. It is planted in high density, small-lot blocks. The extreme slopes, limestone soils, and multiple aspects create the distinct canvas and palette from which we work. The sharp focus is making world class wines that are distinct to our site with inspirations from the Rhone and Priorat in particular. Under the deft craftmanship of Philipp Pfunder, Law has become recognized for beautifully structured and powerful wines that are very limited in production.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
Paso Robles has made a name for itself as a source of supple, powerful, fruit-driven Central Coast wines. But with eleven smaller sub-AVAs, there is actually quite a bit of diversity to be found in this inland portion of California’s Central Coast.
Just east over the Santa Lucia Mountains from the chilly Pacific Ocean, lie the coolest in the region: Adelaida, Templeton Gap and (Paso Robles) Willow Creek Districts, as well as York Mountain AVA and Santa Margarita Ranch. These all experience more ocean fog, wind and precipitation compared to the rest of the Paso sub-appellations. The San Miguel, (Paso Robles) Estrella, (Paso Robles) Geneso, (Paso Robles) Highlands, El Pomar and Creston Districts, along with San Juan Creek, are the hotter, more western appellations of the greater Paso Robles AVA.
This is mostly red wine country, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel standing out as the star performers. Other popular varieties include Merlot, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Grenache and Rhône blends, both red and white. There is a fairly uniform tendency here towards wines that are unapologetically bold and opulently fruit-driven, albeit with a surprising amount of acidity thanks to the region’s chilly nighttime temperatures.