2014 Sanguis 1/1

Composed of 92% Syrah, 5% Grenache and 3% Viognier, the 2014 Syrah 1/1 has a very deep purple-black color and bursts forth from the glass with exuberant black cherries, crushed blackberries and wild blueberry notes plus layers of red rose, lavender, chocolate box and black pepper scents with touches of forest floor and black soil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate possesses beautiful poise and expression, with very fine, rounded tannins and a refreshing line to support the layered flavors, finishing with great length and depth. Give this beauty another couple of years in bottle to really strut its stuff and drink it over the next 15-20.

Wow, the 2014 1/1 is primarily Syrah (there’s 5% Grenache and 3% Viognier) and saw 40% whole cluster, extensive lees contact, and 25 months in French oak. It’s sensational stuff that reminds me a of a top Côte Rôtie from a great vintage. Raspberries, game, olive, pepper and floral notes all emerge from this full-bodied, ethereally textured beauty. With no hard edges, fine, polished tannin and incredible purity, this wine has a sensational finish. It's a joy to drink today, but my money is on it seeing its 20th birthday in fine form. Based out of Santa Barbara, Sanguis’s Matthias Pippig continues to make a singular lineup of wines that run the gamut from rich, unctuous Syrahs, to old-school Pinot Noirs, to borderline orange wines. There’s some true gems in the lineup, with the 2014 1/1 Syrah being the best wine I’ve tasted from the estate.