2005 Sanguis Syrah The Optimist
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From three different Santa Barbara County Vineyards – Westerly, Watch Hill, and Thompson, the 2005 Sanguis The Optimist, almost all Syrah with a less than 2% Viognier, is aged in 80% new French oak. The wine exhibits killer aromatics of gamey dark fruits, raw meat, spiced coffee, and toasted bread that are supported by a deep, mineral packed core. There’s a healthy dose of wood here and it will be interesting to see how this evolves. The palate is full bodied with pure, concentrated fruit, a brilliant texture, fresh acids and a tannic, focused and very long finish. I’m a big fan but the wood/tannin/fruit balance needs to be watcher over the next couple of years.
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My favorite offering in this current portfolio is the 2005 The Optimist from the Westerly Vineyard. A blend of 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier, it offers complex aromas of bacon fat, black raspberries, blackberries, smoked meat, and earth. The wine is sexy, forward, medium to full-bodied, and opulent with beautiful purity and depth. This gorgeous red can be drunk now and over the next 7-10 years. This interesting operation uses distinctively artistic labels, much in the style of Sine Qua Non, as well as heavy bottles. Tel. (805) 640-9432
(with 3% viognier) Deep violet. Pungent dark berry aromas are complicated by a suave bouquet of fresh and dried flowers, vanillin oak, mocha and sandalwood. Sweet and round, with deep but lively blackberry and cassis flavors, supple tannins and an earthy chewing tobacco character. Light tannins gain strength on the long, spicy, nicely delineated finish.
The dark ruby/purple-hued 2005 Syrah The Optimist (275 cases produced from the Watch Hill Vineyard) possesses a sweet bouquet of blackberries, smoke, espresso roast, chocolate, and earth. Full-bodied, opulent, and voluptuous, with a long, heady finish, it should drink beautifully for 6-7 years. The packaging of these outstanding offerings from proprietor Matthias Pippig is reminiscent of that of Elaine and Manfred Krankl’s Sine Qua Non (i.e., hand-painted labels and heavy, over-sized bottles). Moreover, the wines are top-notch. Phone: 805-640-9432 Email: mail@sanguiswine.com