Winemaker Jake Bilbro is one of the young lions of California wine and he is quickly making his mark with wines that are not only distinctive, but sometimes big and bold, too. Hail Mary is a blend of Syrah and Grenache, but Syrah is the dominant variety. It delivers a richly layered red that shows notes of blueberry and blackberry, with loads of spice and firm, beautifully integrated tannins. It would benefit from a few years in the cellar, but you can enjoy it now, especially with red meat or game.
Limerick Lane, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) 2015
By Robert Whitley