93 Points - Wine Enthusiast
93 Points - Vinous
This dark-ruby GSM blend from Thompson Vineyard – along the Alisos Canyon corridor in Santa Barbara County – is richly pleasing. Aged in large-format puncheons for 20 months, with 22% of the French oak barrels being a year old or more. Drink now through 2025
Appellation: Santa Barbara County
Varietal Composition: 58% Grenache, 22% Mourvedre, 20% Syrah
Vineyard Source: 100% Thompson Vineyard (Blocks 1E, 2A, 1B)
Aging: Aged in large format 500L French oak Puncheons for 20 months, of which 22% new French oak
Cooperage: Atelier Centre, Ermitage, Francois Freres
Harvest Brix: 23.8 - 26.6
Acid: 0.564 g/100ml
pH: 3.80
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 253 cases
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
93 Points
Deep red hue and hints of violet teasing the senses with seductive aromas of dark fruits, wild berries, cocoa, baking spices, leather, and cigar box. Filled with saturated flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry, cassis, cherry cola, ripe plum, chopped mint leaves, while the palate unfolds with rich tannin, juicy acidity, and flavors of cherry gastrique, berry coulis, herb mélange, and licorice.
