Tasting Notes
Deeply-colored blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cabernet Franc taking the lead roll. As one would expect, red fruits including ripe red cherries dominate in this wine that is more Right Bank Bordeaux than Loire. Dried herbs, vanilla and oak spice accompany. The tannins in this wine will improve with four to five years of bottle age, though you won't regret opening a bottle tonight either.
"Piocho"
The word "Piocho" is from the Chumash Tribe, which dominated the Santa Ynez area (as well as two other areas in California) prior to and during the advance of the Spanish Missions and the subsequent flood of Easterners with and even paler shade of skin. The Chumash Tribe recently published a dictionary of their old language, which was at risk of being forgotten. Said dictionary would tell you that "Piocho" means "where the two rivers meet and go to heaven."
The Vineyard
This wine will be a surprise to those who dismiss Santa Barbara Bordeaux-style wines as “green” or lacking in complexity. Not this wine from the warm Happy Canyon Vineyard! From Santa Barbara's newest AVA (a well-deserved designation, judging from the notable difference in quality among Bordeaux varietals from the Happy Canyon area).
Only 125 cases produced!
The Winemaker
Winemaker Doug Margerum is the former owner of the Wine Cask (Santa Barbara and Los Olivos), an accomplished chef, and a consulting winemaker. Among all his commitments he somehow manages to find time to make wine for Tom and Laurel Barrack, the owners of Happy Canyon Vineyard.
The Owners
Like many who come to the wine business, Tom and Laurel were successful in their own right (you can see Tom on the October 31, 2005 cover of Fortune). They have funneled their love of wine and considerable resources into making a success of this new venture, and are off to a great start if this beautiful wine is any indication. Incidentally, fans of Polo will recognize that the wines' names derive from the lexicon of that noble sport.
Cheers!
Dave the Wine Merchant
SKU: HCV-PIOCHO-03C