Holly’s Hill Vineyards, El Dorado (Sierra Foothills, California) 2020

 For its GSM, Châteauneuf-du-Pape-styled rendition, the winery makes Mourvedre the lead variety with 41%, followed by Syrah at 38%, with 11% Grenache and 10% Cournoise.  And the winemaker is said to get first dibs on each to assemble this blend.  The wine is aged for 10 months in neutral French oak.  Well, this wine is enormously appealing with lots of spice, cranberry, black pepper and savory flavors.  Medium full bodied, it has a solid core of ripe fruit that is vibrant and persistent.  It unfolds with each sip, showing a slight earthiness and velvety smooth tannin.  It is much more complex and refined than most GSM wines.