Sans Liege The Offering, Santa Barbara County, USA

點擊次數：3138

A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Viognier, the pale to medium ruby colored 2016 The Offering features aromas of cherry candy, powdered strawberry, dried herbs, warm redcurrant, stewed rhubarb and candied blue fruits. It's medium-bodied with good fruit intensity, grainy tannins and juicy acidity, finishing long with a floral tinge.

The 2015 The Offering is very promising on the nose, wafting from the glass with notions of blackberry, smoke, grilled meat and herbs. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, rich and primary, but turns rather austere and drying on the finish, depressing my score. It's hard to predict its future, but my score gives it the benefit of the doubt.

The 2013 The Offering checks in as a blend of 45% Grenache, 36% Syrah, 18% Mourvedre and a splash of Viognier, all of which spent 22 months in mostly neutral barrels. It’s another upfront, charming, fruit-loaded and full-bodied effort from Curt that has lots of ripe black fruits, pepper and spice on both the nose and palate. It opens up nicely with time in the glass and is a Chateauneuf du Pape look-alike to enjoy over the coming 5-6 years.

Checking in as a blend of 48% Grenache, 29% Syrah, 21% Mourvedre and the balance Viognier, the 2011 The Offering is a big, rich wine (especially in the vintage) and exhibits loads of currant-laced fruits, scorched earth, licorice and ground pepper. Medium to full-bodied, with juicy acidity and ripe tannin, it's a delicious blend that will drink nicely for 3-5 years. Curt Schalchlin continues to produce a bevy of outstanding wines under his Sans Liege label. These never lack for fruit, texture or character, and in most cases, represent smoking values. Tel. (805) 773-2770; www.sansliege.com

Moving on to the reds and a blend of 48% Grenache, 29% Syrah, 21% Mourvedre and 2% Viognier, the 2010 The Offering dishes out loads of blackberry, kirsch, licorice, pepper and hints of chocolate in a full-bodied, voluptuously styled package. It’s an outstanding, full-flavored effort to drink through 2016. Drink now-2016. Made by Curt Schalchlin, these are all impressive wines that don’t hold back on flavor or richness, yet always stay beautifully drinkable and fresh. Across the board, the 2010s are more tannic and firm than some past releases and most warrant another 6-12 months or so of bottle age. Tel. (805) 773-2770; www.sansliege.com