2018 B. Leighton (K Vintners) Red Blend

JD95 Checking in as 70% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, and the balance Syrah, the 2018 Gratitude Olsen Brothers Vineyard has a beautiful, incredibly perfumed nose of ripe red fruits (strawberries, framboise, currants) as well as loads of spice, sandalwood, herbes de Provence, and white pepper. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it brings plenty of richness yet is a more elegant, ethereal expression of Mourvèdre offering polished tannins, terrific overall balance, and outstanding length. I’d be thrilled to drink a bottle. It should evolve for 10-12 years with no issues.
VIN93 Moderately saturated medium red. Fascinating youthful nose offers musky raspberry, smoke and tree bark aromas accented by black pepper. Juicy and intensely flavored, displaying lovely definition and inner-mouth mineral energy to the flavors of raspberry, boysenberry, licorice and pepper. With its captivating balance of salinity and sweetness, this blend offers excellent lift and no rough edges. Finishes with fine-grained, sweet tannins and terrific subtle length. Brennon Leighton describes this field blend as his household wine, noting that his wife loves Domaine Tempier’s Bandols. For a Mourvèdre-based wine, this delivers loads of early personality, not to mention pliancy. (bottled in May of 2020, like the Syrah)
Estate Notes: If you’re looking for something to be thankful for, look no further…Here it is in a glass. Rushing at you with black plum, white pepper, spring flowers, cured meats and baked clay, and inviting you again with blood orange, grilled thyme, nutmeg and sage. So wonderful and enjoyable that you must invite a friend to partake. 70% Mourvédre, 25% Grenache, 5% Syrah / 100% whole cluster fermentation / Native yeast / 31 days on skins / 100% neutral French oak puncheons / 20 mo. barrel-aged on lees (2017: JD96)