This primarily Bordeaux-inspired blend shows the sanguine, focused fruit and shapely tannins that we’ve come to expect from the sandy soils and slightly cooler mesoclimate of this outstanding vineyard site.
THE PARING RED 2008
39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Syrah, 6% Grenache
100% California
Aged in French oak (55% new, 45% neutral) for 22 months. Coopers include Taransaud, Sylvain, de Jarnac and Darnajou.
Unfined and unfiltered
1,546 cases produced
WINEMAKER’S NOTES: An elegant blend combining the cooler side of cabernet (mint, cedar, dust, rosemary and savory notes) with cassis, blackberry and ripe plum—a tantalizing balance of sweet and savory. The classic structure of Cabernet Sauvignon goes perfectly with the round, red fruit and generous density of the Merlot. Leafy and floral hints from the Cabernet Franc blend well with the sanguine touch from Petit Verdot. Everybody brings something to this party resulting in a complete and complex red with fine-grained structure, balance and ageability. A perfect celebration of the cool, long growing season: complexity, balance, subtlety, precision and the perfect amount of power. Though it will age well for years and develop beautiful secondary notes, I find joy in drinking this gem today.
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THE PARING RED 2007
57% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 9% cabernet franc, 2% petit verdot
Aged in 55% new French oak (Bel Air, Saury, Sylvain & Taransaud) for 22 months
Bottled unfined and unfiltered
1,904 cases produced
WINEMAKER’S NOTES: A heady perfume of blackberry, ripe plums, blueberry and vanilla are complimented by a touch of mint and a beautiful, dusty earth/herbal note. All four varieties bring something to this bottle: cabernet sauvignon shines through in the black fruit on the nose and contributes to the elegant, firm structure. Merlot brings density and weight to the mid-palate and ensures a generous amount of black and red fruit. Floral and herbal elements from the cabernet franc provide grace and add complexity. Even at only 2%, the petit verdot with its sanguine quality and density brings vibrancy and force to the blend. The 2007 red is a powerful blend with complexity and just the right balance of richness and focus. It is our biggest, yet also most elegant Paring Red blend to date.
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THE PARING RED 2006
53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
75% new French oak barrels (Sylvain and Taransaud)
Bottled unfined and unfiltered
1,163 cases made
WINEMAKER'S NOTES: Alluring aromas of blackberry and cassis dominate at first on the nose, but soon give way to subtle notes of cedar, black olive, toasty oak, herbal nuances and an earthy/dusty complexity. The perfect marriage of Santa Ynez earthy notes, powerful north coast fruit, and classic cabernet complexity. Rich and dense black fruit leads the way on the palate. Layers of fruit, floral hints and herbs shift as cabernet sauvignon and merlot shine through the blend. Chewy, but fine grained tannins and well balanced acidity lift the finish and allow the black cherry essence to linger.
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THE PARING RED 2005
45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 10% Sangiovese
75% new French oak barrels (Sylvain and Taransaud) for 18 months
Bottled unfined and unfiltered
1,091 cases made
WINEMAKER'S NOTES: Cassis, plum and grilled meat notes jump out from the glass from the Bordeaux varieties. Hints of mushroom, strawberry, truffle and lifted violet from the sangiovese emerge from the wine as it sits in the glass. Powerful nose with a complexity similar to the sangiovese based wines of Italy. Smoke, fruit and flowers. Smooth and generous on the palate with black fruit and earth intermingling. Finishes with melted tannins and a cleansing touch of sangiovese acidity.
Download PDF
THE PARING RED 2008
39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Syrah, 6% Grenache
100% California
Aged in French oak (55% new, 45% neutral) for 22 months. Coopers include Taransaud, Sylvain, de Jarnac and Darnajou.
Unfined and unfiltered
1,546 cases produced
WINEMAKER’S NOTES: An elegant blend combining the cooler side of cabernet (mint, cedar, dust, rosemary and savory notes) with cassis, blackberry and ripe plum—a tantalizing balance of sweet and savory. The classic structure of Cabernet Sauvignon goes perfectly with the round, red fruit and generous density of the Merlot. Leafy and floral hints from the Cabernet Franc blend well with the sanguine touch from Petit Verdot. Everybody brings something to this party resulting in a complete and complex red with fine-grained structure, balance and ageability. A perfect celebration of the cool, long growing season: complexity, balance, subtlety, precision and the perfect amount of power. Though it will age well for years and develop beautiful secondary notes, I find joy in drinking this gem today.
Download PDF
THE PARING RED 2007
57% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 9% cabernet franc, 2% petit verdot
Aged in 55% new French oak (Bel Air, Saury, Sylvain & Taransaud) for 22 months
Bottled unfined and unfiltered
1,904 cases produced
WINEMAKER’S NOTES: A heady perfume of blackberry, ripe plums, blueberry and vanilla are complimented by a touch of mint and a beautiful, dusty earth/herbal note. All four varieties bring something to this bottle: cabernet sauvignon shines through in the black fruit on the nose and contributes to the elegant, firm structure. Merlot brings density and weight to the mid-palate and ensures a generous amount of black and red fruit. Floral and herbal elements from the cabernet franc provide grace and add complexity. Even at only 2%, the petit verdot with its sanguine quality and density brings vibrancy and force to the blend. The 2007 red is a powerful blend with complexity and just the right balance of richness and focus. It is our biggest, yet also most elegant Paring Red blend to date.
Download PDF
THE PARING RED 2006
53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
75% new French oak barrels (Sylvain and Taransaud)
Bottled unfined and unfiltered
1,163 cases made
WINEMAKER'S NOTES: Alluring aromas of blackberry and cassis dominate at first on the nose, but soon give way to subtle notes of cedar, black olive, toasty oak, herbal nuances and an earthy/dusty complexity. The perfect marriage of Santa Ynez earthy notes, powerful north coast fruit, and classic cabernet complexity. Rich and dense black fruit leads the way on the palate. Layers of fruit, floral hints and herbs shift as cabernet sauvignon and merlot shine through the blend. Chewy, but fine grained tannins and well balanced acidity lift the finish and allow the black cherry essence to linger.
Download PDF
THE PARING RED 2005
45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 10% Sangiovese
75% new French oak barrels (Sylvain and Taransaud) for 18 months
Bottled unfined and unfiltered
1,091 cases made
WINEMAKER'S NOTES: Cassis, plum and grilled meat notes jump out from the glass from the Bordeaux varieties. Hints of mushroom, strawberry, truffle and lifted violet from the sangiovese emerge from the wine as it sits in the glass. Powerful nose with a complexity similar to the sangiovese based wines of Italy. Smoke, fruit and flowers. Smooth and generous on the palate with black fruit and earth intermingling. Finishes with melted tannins and a cleansing touch of sangiovese acidity.
Download PDF