Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/977771
may 2018 / the tasting panel / 101 WINE #3 NEYERS VINEYARD 2016 SAGE CANYON RED, CALIFORNIA Neyers Vineyard Founders Bruce and Barbara Neyers' love of Rhône-style wines rings true with this deep gar- net, sustainably-farmed cuvée of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. "The tale behind this wine dates to my first California trip with Daniel Brunier, Owner and Winemaker of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe—the Châteauneuf-du-Pape that many refer to as the most legendary wine of the southern Rhône," said Bruce. "He told me, 'You should find some old vineyards planted to southern Rhône varieties, and I'll help you make a traditional Rhône-style wine with them.'" Produced using the traditional Rhone process of pigéage—where the grapes are crushed by foot, fermented separately, then aged on the lees in used French oak barrels—the finished wine features a complex combination of Old World earth and minerality with exotic fruit and an attractive, soft finish. "We've regularly heard it referred to as the best example of an Old World blend made today in California," Bruce added. THE PANEL SAYS: A bright candied strawberry hits your nose to begin, while the enjoyably tart palate with flavors of raspberries and cherry make for a delightful wine. —Jacob Brown Clean, sweet, lifted nose; intense, underripe dark fruit. Medium body and tannin, medium acid, and balanced alcohol. Sweet, stemmy core with minerality and bubblegum. —Paul Ozbrin A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Malbec, Ancient Peak's 2014 Oyster Ridge limited-edition cuvée benefits from the five soil types and complex geology of one of Paso Robles' coolest and most unusual AVAs: Santa Margarita Ranch. "The majority of the grapes that go into this wine are grown on an ancient oyster bed," said Ancient Peak Co-Owner Doug Filipponi. These fossils foster a calcium-rich soil that lends complex notes of leather, graphite, dried plum, and espresso bean, with a plush mouthfeel and long tannins. "Every vintage is a little differ- ent," said Filipponi, "and 2014 was a wonderful year. Each of these wines is put into premium French oak for two years, and then the winemakers go through and taste every barrel. They make three different blends, and we all work together to choose the final blend. The goal is to offer the best of the best of Ancient Peaks—essentially the crown jewel of the vineyard and the vintage." THE PANEL SAYS: Aroma bursts from the glass with full, ripe and dark fruit. Must be very concentrated grapes. —Charles Riley Ruby-purple and ripe with strawberry, plum, cassis, and blueberry. Youthful and fruit-forward with fresh purple flowers and slight green herbs. Vanilla, cinnamon, and clove. —Lindsey Drew Joel Dicharry, Director of Fine Wine for Trinchero Family Estates, presented the Neyers Vineyard 2016 Sage Canyon Red.