Orange zest, acacia wood, fresh picked strawberry. Wild cherry, crushed cardamom, pomegranate cluster. Delicate violet and lavender garden, sweet evergreen and earthy spice. Tart and pure fruit leads an attack bursting with unrelenting raspberry, boysenberry, cranberry, and citrus. A core of wet sand and salty air plus a dash of soil spice scream beautiful Santa Barbara terroir. Light floral and forest notes are present but outmatched against the lean and fresh farmers market fruit. Medium bodied, showcasing mild tannin and lively acidity that balances excellently with the deliciously food-friendly flavor profile. This 2017 Martian Ranch Vineyard Gamay by Ann Albert Wines is a classically-styled and complex Gamay from Santa Barbara County.

Once considered a second-tier grape used primarily for the production of bulk wine, Gamay has undergone a tumultuous revival in the last 30 years. In the 1990's the oft-misunderstood variety became the darling of a handful of quality-driven producers in the Beaujolais region of France eventually leading to the restoration of its worldwide reputation. This bottling, crafted by Ann Albert Wines using 100% Gamay sourced from the Martian Ranch Vineyard in northern Santa Barbara County, shows that this grape absolutely deserves the world's affection. This wine is bright and expressive, presenting generous amounts of both gorgeous fruit and intricate earth with transparency and authenticity. It is not high-toned and ethereal like the region's Pinot Noir's can be, but rather feels like a grounded and unembellished expression of one of California's greatest cool-climate wine growing zones. Fans of Cru Beaujolais will absolutely adore this.