The Paring Red 2015

The Paring Red 2015, A constant play between sweet and savory. Gentle and dusty tannins lead the way into an incredibly long and precise finish. Mulberry sweetness and a wonderful tension between tannic structure and bright acidity. Balanced and refined Paring Red. A study in elegance. Candied blackberry aromas meet with cola spice, licorice and wet earth on the nose of this red blend from the same team behind the Jonata and The Hilt wineries. There is a strong structure to the full-bodied palate, where black fruit plays with cocoa and pepper spices.

The 2015 Red Wine is the Bordeaux blend of the estate and is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Merlot and Petit Verdot, all from declassified Jonata lots. Its deep, inky purple color is followed by a rich, powerful wine that’s loaded with notions of blackcurrants, unsmoked tobacco, graphite, and crushed rocks. With background oak, full body, ripe yet present tannins, and a great finish, it’s going to keep for at least 7-8 years.

The Paring wines are the second label from the acclaimed Hilt and Jonata properties.  The Paring Chardonnay consists of small lots of fruit from the Sta. Rita Hills estate vineyard of Salsipuedes that do not make the cut into The Hilt wines. While not technically biodynamic, the vineyards of Salsipuedes — Bentrock, Radian and Puerto Del Mar — are farmed to the highest standards; creating a functioning polyculture of bee hives, herds of ruminants, fruit, olives and of course, grapes. No artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides are used. The winemaking here is identical to that of The Hilt wines; fermentations are entirely native with no added nutrients, enzymes, acids or sugars.  In fact, the Paring and Hilt wines are completely identical up until elevage, which is shorter, and utilizes a higher proportion of stainless steel and neutral oak barrels.

The Paring Chardonnay is a more exuberant, fruit driven and fresh quaffer than its Hilt counterpart, perfect for easy drinking and a great entry into the unique terroir of this very special estate. In many cases, winemaker Matt Dees chooses to use a broader appellation for the Paring wines so as to differentiate them from the Jonata and Hilt Estate wines.