2014 Métier

Nowhere is the craft (métier) of blending wine more evident than in our own Métier. Mourvèdre (40%) lends wild (sauvage) brambleberry nuances and vibrant, dark hues supporting the bursts of raspberry and strawberry leaf from the expressive characteristics of Grenache (37%). Consistent with our style, Syrah (19%) brings juicy, generous, meaty flavors to the profile. Cinsaut (4%) softens the blend releasing a subtle perfume of watermelon and strawberries. Whether appreciating a glass on its own or pairing with food, our Métier is delicious no matter how you choose to enjoy it. 

This is a vintage that is full of clean, youthful aromas of deep raspberries, violets, strawberries and menthol. It keeps coming with jammy blackberry and raspberry flavors along with sweet apple and smoked bacon showing an additional layer of diverse spices from cracked black pepper to rosemary. Pure and focused now, this wine will continue to reward with short-term aging. 

Review by Stephen Tanzer for Vinous, November 2016

"Moderately saturated medium red-ruby. Cherry and flowers on the nose, plus some suggestions of exotic fruits. Suave, creamy and complex. offering impressive palate presence to the flavors of purple fruits, violet, tree bark and pungent pepper. The small Cinsault component helped to lower this wine's alcohol level, noted winemaker Chris Upchurch, but it's still a lofty 15.3%. Finishes with very suave tannins, lovely balance and excellent length."