2021 Mataro Oakley Road Vineyard

Despite having collected numerous accolades during a long and brilliant career, Joel Peterson retains an incredible sense of boyish enthusiasm, as if he were a young winemaker presenting his first vintage. Peterson’s knowledge of vineyards and wines is truly encyclopedic, making him a sort of national treasure. The 2021s are brilliant across the board, as readers will see in the accompanying tasting notes. The Zinfandels from Bacigalupi, Green & Red and Teldeschi are all notable, as is the Merlot from the Sangiacomo family's Kiser ranch in Carneros. Once & Future is exactly what the name suggests – rooted in the past yet forward-looking. Quite simply, the 2021s are compelling.