Winemaker Notes
Blend: 48% Grenache, 28% Syrah, 23% Mourvedre, 1% Viognier
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: How close can California vintners get to emulating the red wines from the Rhône Valley? I have tasted this red blends over the years with mixed results. Fortunately, The Offering 2015 from San Liege has come through with an attractive combination of nuances that are at once Old World and New World. TASTING NOTES: This wine exhibits charming red fruit and savory spice aromas and flavors. Its nicely textured palate should pair it well with grilled Italian sausage over polenta. (Tasted: March 23, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 48% Grenache, 28% Syrah, 23% Mourvèdre, and a splash of Viognier, the 2015 Offering offers a powerful, forward, sexy profile as well as plenty of smoked black fruits, barbecue smoke, and earthy, underbrush-like aromas and flavors. It's a delicious mouthful of a wine to drink over the coming 2-4 years.
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.