91 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Being so robust, moderate to heavy dishes are best paired with this GSM.
Think fattier steaks, grilled sausage, duck risotto, mushrooms or dishes with Mediterranean spices.
This GSM blend from Thompson Vineyard from the Alisos Canyon corridor in Santa Barbara County is richly pleasing. Aged in large-format puncheons for 19 months, 17% of the French oak barrels being new. A big bold blend with great aging potential. Drink now through 2028.
Appellation: Santa Barbara County
Varietal Composition: 56% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 19% Mourvedre
Vineyard Source: 100% Thompson Vineyard (Blocks 1E (Grenache), 1B (Syrah), 2A (Mourvèdre)) located in the Alisos Canyon corridor in Santa Barbara County
Aging: Aged 19 months in 75% 500L French oak puncheons, of which 17% is new French oak
Cooperage: Francois Freres, Rosseau, Atelier
Harvest Brix: 24.4 - 26.8
Acid: 0.524 g/100ml
pH: 3.78
Alcohol: 14.7%
Production: 281 cases
94 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color, with notes of crushed blueberries, ripe, fresh blackberries and warm cassis plus hints of cherries, black olives, currants and a touch of black pepper. The full-bodied palate is chock full of crunchy black fruits, framed by ripe chewy tannins.
92 Points
Aromas of fresh peach, Asian pear, citrus, and honeycomb to delight your senses. The flavors are just as complex with hints of Madagascar vanilla followed by fresh lemon, green apple, wildflower honey, stone fruit, and a touch of lavender. The rich, dense texture is balanced by its juicy acidity, leading to great minerality and a long, satisfying finish.
94 Points, Editors' Choice
Bold and berrylike, full-bodied and saturated with jammy blackberry and raspberry that coat the palate and give a luscious ripeness that keeps on giving. Notes of stewed plums, Morello cherries and raspberry pie and spice, wild thyme and hoisin. The palate is laden with red and black berry layers, supported by chewy tannins.
