WA 96 · Wine Advocate
From the Bien Nacido and Sanford & Benedict Vineyards in Santa Barbara County, the 2020 Grenache Head Held High is blended with 10% Mourvèdre, 9% Syrah and 4% white wine. It was vinified using 51% whole clusters, matured for 20 months in 25% new French oak and bottled in July of 2022. Medium to deep ruby-purple in the glass, it explodes with generous scents of blueberry, wild blackberry, tar, bergamot and lavender, continuing to blossom with notes of forest and fennel seed as it airs in the glass. The full-bodied palate balances graphite-laced fruit, seamless acidity and abundant, powdery tannins, and it has a long, ethereal finish with latent spicy accents, suggesting it will reward those patient enough to give it several more years to unfold in bottle.