"This wine’s stunning intensity begins with its inky hue. Aromas of super ripe cassis, blueberry, blackberry and fig are under- scored by worn leather, anise and shiso mint. On the palate, the entry is rich and viscous, leading to plush, dusty tannins and fetching flavors of dark, ripe berries, figs and chocolate. Warm baking spice balances minerality on the finish, inviting taste after taste of this exceptionally compelling blend."
Composition
82% Cabernet Sauvignon
9% Merlot
6% Cabernet Franc
2% Petit Verdot
1% Malbec
Vineyards
- Pahlmeyer Estate Vineyard,
- Rancho Chimiles,
- Stagecoach
Critics
95+ Points
Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate #204, December 2012
Mocha, espresso, cloves and blackberry jam are some of many nuances that emerge from the 2010 Red Blend. A deep, rich wine, the 2010 boasts stunning aromatics, beautifully chiseled fruit and fabulous overall balance. I sense a slightly less sweet, overt style than in previous years, yet at the same time, there is plenty of richness in the glass. I suspect the 2010 will still be going strong at age 20. Today, it is flat-out gorgeous.
92 Points
James Laube, Wine Spectator, November 2013
Big, bold and expressive, featuring ripe, juicy plum and wild berry flavors, with touches of spice and cedar. Impressively supple, with a finish gripped by graceful and refined tannins. Drink now through 2023.
Winemaking
- Winemaker:
- Erin Green
- Alcohol:
- 15.2%
- Harvested:
- October 11 to October 28, 2010
- Bottled:
- April 25, 2012
- Released:
- September 16, 2013
The grape clusters were hand-sorted, and once de-stemmed, the berries were sorted again by hand on the way to tank. After four to five days of pre-fermentation cold maceration in small open-top fermentors, the fruit began 100% native yeast fermentation. Two to three weeks later, the fruit was gently pressed and moved to barrel where it finished primary and secondary fermentations. The wine continued to age in 85% new French oak – a combination of Taransaud and St. Martin barrels – for eighteen months. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
