Winemaker Notes
Blend: 80% Syrah, 20% Petite Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
The nose on this extremely well-priced bottling, named after vineyard manager Ruben Solorzano's wife, is intense yet elegant, with crushed slate, black currant and charred pork aromas. The palate's chalky texture carries flavors of black plum, boysenberry, dark cocoa, fennel and marjoram.
Editors' Choice -
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium to deep ruby-purple, the 2017 Para Maria de las Tecolotes has an inviting nose of crushed blueberries, red cherries, wild blackberries and red berry preserves with violet, charcuterie, spice and potpourri nuances. The medium-bodied palate is energetic and offers perfumed, tricolored fruits, with a frame of gently chewy tannins and juicy freshness, finishing long with lots of perfume. This will be a crowd-pleaser with its easy, Côtes-du-Rhone style.
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.”
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.