Winemaker Notes
A breadth of fruit on the nose spans from bright red to black plum. The body comes off deep and coating with fine chalky tannins on the finish. Fresh black plum sings above the rich density. The wine has the energy to stand up to a winery favorite Jalisco Pastor and is full-bodied enough to compliment any other protein.
Blend:70% Syrah, 15% Grenache, 15% Sangiovese
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 La Cuadrilla is a blend of 70% Syrah, 15% Grenache and 15% Sangiovese. Medium ruby-purple, it opens with perfumed red and blue berry fruits with nuances of licorice and flowers. The medium to full-bodied palate bursts with juicy fruits in a grainy frame, and it finishes long with loads of floral nuances.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 La Cuadrilla Red Wine is mostly Syrah yet includes 15% each of Sangiovese and Grenache. Black cherries, blackberries, strawberries, pepper, and bay leaf define the nose, and it’s medium-bodied, round, and juicy on the palate. It’s impeccably made and a terrific value. It’s worth pointing out that all the profits from this cuvée to go their full-time vineyard workers.
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.
Accounting for only ten percent of the greater Santa Ynez AVA, Ballard Canyon’s north-south orientation provides an ideal pattern of sunshine and martime fog for producing excellent Syrah. While Syrah is planted to half of the total AVA acreage, an additional third is dedicated to other Rhône varieties, red and white.