2018 Thompson GSM

Appellation

Santa Barbara County

Varietal

Red Blend

Wine Enthusiast

Jeb Dunnuck

Vinous

Vineyard Sources

100% Thompson Vineyard (Blocks 1E (Grenache), 1B (Syrah), 2A (Mourvèdre)) located in the Alisos Canyon corridor in Santa Barbara County

Barrel Aging

Aged 19 months in 75% 500L French oak puncheons, of which 17% is new

Cooperage

Francois Freres, Rosseau, Atelier

Technical Data

Composition

56% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 19% Mourvèdre

Alcohol %

14.7

Acidity

0.524 g/100mL

3.78

Harvest Brix

24.4-26.8

Harvest Date

11/6-11/15/18

Production

281 cases

Description

The 2018 Thompson GSM consists of 56% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 19% Mourvedre creating a bold blend with age-worthy potential. Ripe fruit dominate on the nose while bright red fruit and herbal notes are wrapped up by a peppery finish on the palate.

The varietals used to make up this blend are arguably the most important to the Côtes du Rhône region of France with Grenache typically used as base of the blend. These blends are also widely produced out of Australia, however Syrah or Shiraz, as they call it in the land down under, typically plays the leading role, thus the wines are often labeled as SGM.

Because of its robust nature, moderate to heavy dishes are best paired with this GSM. Think fattier steaks, grilled sausage, duck risotto, mushrooms or dishes with Mediterranean spices.

Wine Critic Reviews

"...a wild, exotic wine. Kirsch, sweet tobacco, cedar, rose petal and blood orange give the 2018 striking inner sweetness and perfume. The Thompson is a bit pushed in terms of its ripeness, but all the elements are very nicely balanced." ~ Antonio Galloni's Vinous "Lots of dried herbs, chocolate, peanut, and peppery red and black fruits emerge from the 2018 Thompson Vineyard GSM, which is another Southern Rhône-like blend...Medium to full-bodied, savory, and loaded with fruit, it has 5-7 years of prime drinking ahead of it." ~ Jeb Dunnuck "Lighter in the glass, this bottling offers smoked cherries, bay leaf, incense and light pepper on the nose. It lands broadly on the palate, with a thicker mouthfeel full of seared orange rind, deep cherry and lingering wood spice." ~ Wine Enthusiast