Winemaker Notes
Opaque with dense crimson and ruby red hues. Aromas of red fruits, dried cranberries and jammy youthful fruits come immediately to the fore, with perfumed Grenache and rose petal floral aromas. A solid core of dark red fruit and spicy fruit surrounded by youthful tannins. The overlying presence of Grenache flavors initially impact the palate, followed by a finish complete with hints of jam, cocoa and dark berry contributions of Syrah and earthy Mourvèdre.
Blend: 47% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 9% Mourvèdre, 2% Counoise, 2% Cinsault
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Doug Margerum's flagship blend of 47% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 9% Mourvèdre, 2% Counoise and 2% Cinsaut is bright, delicious and easy to guzzle. Fresh lively aromas of wild strawberry, simmering pomegranate sauce, mint and peppercorns lead into a palate of berries, plum, thyme and marjoram. It is crisp while complex.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The Southern Rhône-like blend from this estate, the 2018 M5 Santa Barbara County checks in as 47% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 9% Mourvèdre, and the rest equal parts Counoise and Cinsault. Deep purple-colored, with notes of mulled black cherries, black raspberries, ground pepper, licorice, and underbrush, it's medium to full-bodied, has beautiful fruit, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It would do just fine in a blind lineup of Châteauneuf du Pape.
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Wine Spectator
Fresh and plump, with youthful fruit, offering bright cherry and smoked spice flavors that take on elegant layers, finishing with polished tannins. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise and Cinsault. Drink now through 2028.
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.