Winemaker Notes
This Rhone-style blend has a garnet color highlighted with purple edges. Aromas of red plum, black fruits, violets, and hints of clove jump out of the glass. The wine is medium-plus bodied with crisp acidity, offering a mouthful of red and black fruits supported by licorice.
Its weight and balance make it a perfect pairing with anything off the grill.
Blend: 86% Syrah, 10% Grenache, 4% Tempranillo
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Fresh blackberry and raspberry aromas meet with hints of lilac and freshly cracked white pepper on the nose of this bottling, which also includes 10% Grenache and 4% Tempranillo. A medium-bodied, delicately tannic palate offers more berry, pepper and fresh herb flavors.
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Wine Spectator
Plump and zesty, with shades of cherry and red plum, spice and sassafras accents and refined tannins on the finish.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
A geographic and climatic paradise for grape vines, Monterey is a part of the greater Central Coast AVA and contains within it five smaller sub-appellations, including Arroyo Seco, San Lucas, San Bernabe, Hames Valley and the famous Santa Lucia Highlands. The climate is relatively warm but tempered by cool, coastal winds, allowing the regions in Monterey County an exceptionally long growing season. Bud break often happens two weeks sooner and harvest tends to be two weeks later compared to other surrounding regions.
Monterey’s coastal side, where the cooling ocean fog allows grapes to develop a perfect sugar-acid balance, excels in the production of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Warmer, inland subzones are home to fleshy, concentrated and full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.
Chardonnay, covering about 40% of vineyard acreage, is the most widely planted grape in all of Monterey County.