2016 Rangeland Wines - Mistletoe (88 pts) @rangelandwines

2016 Rangeland Wines - Mistletoe (88 pts) @rangelandwines · 🙋‍♂️ What is your go to dinner party red wine❓· ℹ️ This wine is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah, and 10% Merlot from the Adelaida Springs Ranch estate on the western boundary of Paso Robles. The vines are planted at 1800 ft elevation in the western hills which are 70% limestone soils and 30% sandstone soils. The vineyard is an average of 10 F degrees cooler than the heart of Paso Robles. Only native yeast fermentations. Aged for 18 months 30% new French oak and 70% neutral French oak· 👁 Deep purple color· 👃 Medium intensity on the nose. Aromas of ripe blackberry, green olive, blueberry, black plum, oak, vanilla, creamy, cinnamon, black pepper, and violets· 👄 The wine is dry, medium+ acidity, medium+ grippy tannins, high alcohol, and full body. A medium length finish of ripe black fruit and cinnamon· 🔔 This is a peculiar blend for me, reminds me of all those Australian Cab/Shiraz blends that I drank when I lived in Asia many years ago. The dark color is likely due to the hot climate Syrah and Petite Sirah. I rarely call purple for the wine color. The Syrah green olive and black pepper spice shine through. Missing those Cabernet pyrazines, but there was something slightly herbal on the finish. This wine feels a bit hot to me at 15% ABV and it's noticeable. Decent amount of oak, but well integrated. Overall, I think this would be a crowd pleaser for a dinner party, especially at $29-$32.