The Paring GS Red Blend 2009

A fascinating nose of black licorice, plum skin, tar, blackberries, grilled bread, talc, pine needles, mesquite, and white pepper, which pulls you deeper and deeper into the glass with every swirl. A dark, brooding and savory wine that displays the beauty of the balancing act between fruit and tannin. On the palate, this wine is all about texture: copious amounts of supple, juicy, and sweet black fruit cascade over the palate as the fine-grained tannins start at the front of the tongue and slowly move through the finish. Over time they quietly edge out the fruit, forming a gentle coating that demands a charred rare rib chop.

70% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 5% Sangiovese. Armed with a degree in Soil Science from the University of Vermont and Vintages at Staglin, in Napa, California and Craggy Range in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, Matt Dees has an intrinsic feel for wine, from dirt to glass. Curious and experimental by nature, Matt's approach to winemaking is grounded in the vineyard first and foremost: attuned to the vines, the weather, the soil, Matt seems almost to be a part of the vineyard itself. Made from vineyard blocks that are either too young or don't fit into the vintage style of the highly acclaimed Jonata Wines—The Paring is essentially a "chip off the old block." The Paring bottlings explore different styles and vineyards—from the dual stylistic expressions of Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay to the meticulously farmed Pinot Noir from a selection of distinctive Santa Barbara sites. When he's not working with The Paring, Matt can be found making the wines for its big-sister winery—Jonata.