San Antonio Winery Heritage 2002

San Antonio Winery just released the 2002 Heritage, (according to the enclosed letter) as part of their 90th anniversary. Of course if you are like me you are asking yourself, "San Antonio Winery? In Texas?" But like me you would be way off base. Try Los Angeles. Why did they call it San Antonio? I have no idea. But in 1917 Santo Cambianica and Stefano Riboli founded San Antonio Winery in Los Angeles, apparently at the location they are at now; and then, the L.A. basin was an agricultural mecca. Think oranges in Orange County. Disneyland used to be orchards.

The hot climate and decent rainfall of southern California makes a great growing area. When I was but a child wondering down Wilshire Blvd. to school, I could pick figs, pomegranates, berries, and other unidentified treats (I survived...) from the plants and trees along the way in peoples front yards. Now pollution, bad air, (it was worse when I was a kid) and lack of space has forced those relying on agriculture for the ingredients of their products look toward the valleys and hills north of town.

In the case of the San Antonio Winery, this would be Paso Robles, Santa Barbara and Monterey counties, even Sonoma and Alexander valleys here in northern California. They have seven brands and grapes don't grow on trees. You need to look far and wide to produce the tonnage needed for any big producer.

The Heritage is a blend of Syrah, Petite Syrah, Mourvedre, and Grenache. They barrel aged this wine for twenty four months in 70% new French and American oak. Their website and flyer that came with the wine are complete dossiers on the wine and it's provenance. More than most care about I suspect. More than I really care about. But if it's your thing they provide the info.

"How's the wine", you ask? Well let me see...this is a dark wine (with Syrah And Petite Syrah one would assume this to be the case), with good body and glass clinging viscosity, 14+% alcohol, and a slightly reticent bouquet. I think this wine needs to breathe so I will let it sit for a while and see if the nose becomes less shy later.

The flavors are something else all together. There is no shyness here. This is Paso Robles fruit standing out front and center. Big, brash, demanding of attention, the flavors are up front and personal. The shy nose lying to me like a whisper before a blast. I can't discern any specific grape, (not unusual when the flavors are so forward and in a blend like this) but even with the Monterey County Syrah, the Paso Robles fruit takes center stage. If the wine was a tad more subtle I would say it had the Italian familia roots in it's making. More Sangiovese than Syrah. More sweetness than reserve.

Did I say this is a big wine? If you are into the fruit forwardness of the Paso Robles wines, and can pair this properly with aggressive, spicy or hot foods, this wine will still provide flavor to notice. I can't think of much that would overwhelm it. Perfect with the meaty, flavorful spiciness of Italian cooking, I wish I had a big pizza and spaghetti and meat balls for dinner. However I am off of wheat, so that is not happening anytime soon. Boot garlic grilled meats. Yeah baby!

At $24 direct, the wine is not cheap but a value in wines that give up flavor at a reasonable price. A great alternative to pricy Zin, or flashy Syrah going for twice the price. A little more nose couldn't hurt, but that's not something I need. Mine is big enough.

Try some of their wines if you are in L.A. and find yourself thinking "Now where the heck can I taste some wines while I'm here". I plan to hit them when I'm in the area in April. See ya' there.

{Disclosure - this wine was an unsolicited sample provided by the winery. See what ya' get when your famous!}