2018 “Sympatico” - Caliza Winery
Juicy boysenberry, wild briar, tart dark cherry. Raspberry liqueur, ancho chilies, crushed black plum. An impressively deep and immeasurably dense core of mulberry, reduced blueberry, and black licorice writhes with incredible raw energy and extraction as gorgeous natural notes of sage, thyme, and bramble contribute layers of intriguing herbal complexity. Hints of allspice, cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne quickly emerge to provide a pleasantly spicy backbone that is softened gently by a sweet floral bouquet of peonies, carnations, and lavender. Suggestions of crushed limestone and calcareous rock impart a delicious chalky and mineral edge while pleasing wafts of charcoal and smoke expose an angsty yet well integrated roasted quality. Monumentally expressive and amplified on both the nose and palate while somehow remaining perfectly fresh and balanced throughout; exhibiting a rich, ripe, and massively concentrated presentation that is intense and attention grabbing while also impressively contemplative and cerebral. Full bodied and bold with powerful pixelated tannin carried by bright acidity. This 2018 "Sympatico" by Caliza Winery is a serious and deliciously savory red from the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles.
Though perhaps most known as one of California's best terroirs for the production of Rhone varieties, Paso Robles is also emerging as an incredible region to grow a wide range of traditional Spanish grapes. This bottling, crafted by Caliza Winery using a blend of 88% Tempranillo/12% Grenache sourced from their estate vineyard in Paso Robles, beautifully exemplifies the terrific combination of power and complexity that has come to define Paso's greatest wines. This menacingly broods in the glass with a diverse medley of ripe dark and red fruits brilliantly enhanced by brambly natural tones, energetic spices, sweet floral notes, and exciting minerality. Although big and brawny this still manages to exude tremendous depth and finesse, and is undoubtedly one of the most impressive Tempranillo based wines coming out of California. Exceptional.