2023 Margerum ‘M5’ Rhône Blend Santa Barbara County

WSI95 VIN94 The 2023 Red Blend M5 is fabulous. Bright and punchy, the 2023 impresses with its purity of fruit. Vibrant plum, blueberry, mint, lavender and spice abound. A wine with striking inner perfume and fine balance, the 2023 is just sublime.
Estate Notes: M5 is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise, and Cinsault selected from vineyards in Santa Ynez Valley; Ballard Canyon; Santa Maria Valley; Los Alamos; and Foxen Canyon. Each varietal component is pressed after fermentation and matured for 10 months in seasoned French oak barrels and puncheons individually before being racked one time to blend for bottling. Opaque with dense crimson and ruby red hues, the wine shows a solid core of dark red fruit and spicy fruit surrounded by youthful tannins. The overlying presence of Grenache flavors initially impact the palate, followed by a finish complete with hints of jam, cocoa and dark berry contributions of Syrah and earthy Mourvèdre.