2013 Sanguis Grenache Verve

A blend of 58% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 18% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Viognier that saw 40% whole cluster and 25 months in neutral French oak and stainless-steel barrels, the 2013 Verve sports a deeper ruby color as well as relatively reserved notes of black raspberries, toasted spice, vanilla and graphite. It's beautiful on the palate, with full-bodied richness and depth, sweet tannin and a big finish. Give bottles a year to hopefully develop more complexity, and enjoy through 2025. 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.

The 2013 Verve is a Grenache-based wine with important contributions from Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Viognier. Black cherry, plum, licorice, smoke and grilled herbs are fused into the powerful, vibrant finish. The tannins need time to settle down, but there is plenty to like. My only real quibble is that the alcohol is at times intrusive. Vineyard sources are John Sebastiano, Watch Hill and Thompson.

Lastly, the 2013 Verve checks in as 58% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 18% Cabernet Franc and 4% Viognier that saw 20% whole clusters and 26 months in 300-liter Cigar barrels and 500-liter neutral French oak. Charming, seamless and polished (as are all of Matthias’s wines), it has outstanding notes of black raspberries, toasted bread, spice and dried flowers in a medium to full-bodied, balanced and lengthy package. It should drink nicely through 2023.