Santa Ynez, located west of Highway 101 in Santa Barbara County, is becoming a happy home for Italian varieties. This Lagrein bottling has been showing promise for a few vintages now, and the 2013 is coming into its own, with a balance of blackberry and savory aromas and flavors that are well knit together and linger through a finish with enough grip to sustain both characteristics. Go for something gamey as a pairing. A Platinum Award winner at the 2017 Monterey International Wine Competition.
Santa Barbara Winery, Santa Ynez Valley (California) Lagrein 2013
By Rich Cook