Element 79 Vineyards, Fair Play (El Dorado County, California) 2020

 This highly unusual field blend of 49% Syrah and 51% Viognier was co-fermented and then, to guarantee it will be different, the winemaker aged it for 9 months in French oak (35% new).  It is one of those wines that ignites a lively conversation.  It looks and smells like a red wine, and sweeps across the palate like a medium-bodied white.  It is definitely quaffable, but then as it opened up, it showed some subtle layers.  With a youthful aroma of dark cherry, pepper and spice, it is smooth with appealing red fruit flavors.  The oak is subtle and there’s a clean lingering finish.  However, there’s no trace of tannin which makes it an excellent, chillable red which will please red wine drinkers during the warm summer weeks.  72 cases produced.