This is a blend of 6% Grenache, 9.3% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, 4.3% Petite Sirah, and 2.4% Viognier.Most of it is from Estate fruit (Ventura) but 15% is from Bien Nacido in the Santa Maria Valley. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is great with black cherries, black raspberries, coffee, spice and slight dark chocolate. Full bodied. Great plush texture. Great energy and balance. On the palate, this is delicious. Plenty of depth and complexity, it unwinds in the glass. Flavors of black raspberries, black cherries, dark chocolate and black pepper. Long finish. This is still young and will improve (and flirt with a 100 point score). No harm in opening now though it should drink well for another fifteen to twenty years. This is high alcohol and big fruit and some won't like this style, but many will love it. It is wonderful on its own and will take bigger food flavors to stand up to it. This would be a nice match with Buffalo Wings.
