Site 2018 Red “Rhône Blend” Larner Vineyard Santa Barbara 96 Points

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points: “The 2018 Red Wine Larner Vineyard is Syrah-based but includes 17% Grenache and 4% Viognier, all fermented with 23% whole clusters and brought up in 50% new oak. Deep purple-colored, with fabulous notes of smoked blackberries, cassis, ground pepper, and violets, it’s full-bodied and has a seamless texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It might be the finest wine I’ve tasted under this label.”

Robert Parker 95+ Points: “The 2018 Red Wine Larner Vineyard is reminiscent of a classic Cornas with its intensely savory, gamey character. Medium ruby-purple, the nose offers singular scents of mesquite-grilled meats, cast iron, cracked pepper and bacon fat, with a core of black and blue fruits that gain more clarity with time in the glass. The full-bodied palate is iron-laced and elegant, offering refined, grainy tannins, seamless freshness and a very long, uplifted finish. It will benefit from another 3-5 years in bottle and continue to gain complexity in bottle over the next decade or more.”

Winemaker Notes: “A blend of 79% Syrah, 17% Grenache, and 4% Viognier. Fermented with 23% whole clusters. The nose offers blackberries, crushed black pepper, and violets. The mouth is medium-weight ,supple, and carries a very long finish.”