2019 Mataro Oakley Road Vineyard

It’s always a pleasure to taste with Joel Peterson, as he is a veritable fountain of knowledge when it comes to the history of California vineyards and wines. Peterson describes 2019 as a relatively moderate growing season, but with more notable weather events than 2018, including rain in May and several heat spikes towards the end of the season. The 2019s aren’t as consistently brilliant as the 2018s, but that is interesting in a different way because there is more distinction between sites. Certainly, the character of the very best vineyards in this range comes through loud and clear, and that is what these wines are ultimately all about - expressions of place. The 2019s were fermented in open-top redwood tanks, with indigenous fermentations, and aged in French oak. Readers will find these wines endowed with terrific energy, vibrancy and character.