WINE ENTHUSIAST

2021 Albariño 90 points

Green aromas of grass and lime skin meet with wet stone and passion fruit on the nose of this bottling. The palate grips with a tight weave, adding edge to the riper flavors of passion fruit, as cut grass lingers into the finish. — Matt Kettmann

2021 Grenache Blanc 90 points

Black plum aromas are quite sharp on the nose of this blend of 83% Grenache, 11% Mourvèdre and 6% Syrah. The plummy flavors of the palate are sprinkled with anise and wrapped in grippy tannins. — Matt Kettmann

2019 Praying Mantis 90 points

Black plum aromas are quite sharp on the nose of this blend of 83% Grenache, 11% Mourvèdre and 6% Syrah. The plummy flavors of the palate are sprinkled with anise and wrapped in grippy tannins. — Matt Kettmann

2018 Syrah 95 points

This is a very dynamic and deeply layered wine, showing savory aromas of tar, seaweed, raw meat and elderberry on the wild nose. The palate is also savory, full of charred and raw lamb, rosemary, cracked pepper and dark berry flavors, wrapped in a tense frame. — Matt Kettmann

2018 Praying Mantis 90 points

Tart black plum-skin aromas meet with warmer baking spice notes on the nose of this blend of 49% Grenache, 44% Syrah and 7% Mourvèdre. The palate combines violet and darker, smoother fruit flavors, with a peppery spice that appears on the finish. — Matt Kettmann

2017 Syrah 94 points

This bottling is just starting to show its age, but is thrivingly complex right now. Aromas of dry-aged beef, damp wood piles, dried violet and pepper-spiked teriyaki lead into a tightly wound palate of boisterous blueberry, mushroom and savory miso flavors. — Matt Kettmann

2017 Praying Mantis 91 points

Dark fudge, light clove and a hint of vanilla meet with blackberry sauce on the nose of this bottling. Rich flavors of cracked pepper, wild thyme and fennel integrate well with the blackberry core of the palate. — Matt Kettmann

2016 Carignan (Templeton Gap District) Editors' Choice  92 points

This bottling is still very fresh five years in, starting with aromas of juicy strawberry and savory tar. Earthy flavors of turned loam and lava rock meet with dark, intense and concentrated purple-fruit and lavender flavors. — Matt Kettmann

 

JEB DUNNUCK

2016 Kaleidos Morpheus.   91 points

The 2016 Morpheus (63% Syrah and 37% Grenache) offers lots of spiced blackberry and blueberry notes as well as toasted spice, caramelized orange rind, and ground pepper. Medium-bodied, with plenty of ripeness and depth as well as integrated acidity, it's another fresher, focused wine from this estate. It should evolve for at least 7-8 years.

2016 Kaleidos Osiris. 90+ points

Coming all from Paso Robles and a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah, aged two years in 20% new French oak, the 2016 Osiris reveals a saturated purple color as well as complex notes of blackberries, mulberries, leather, and peppery spice. It's medium-bodied, fresh, and nicely focused, it has fine tannins and is one of the fresher, more focused wines in the lineup. It will keep for upwards of a decade.

2016 Kaleidos Praying Mantis.  92 points

Black fruits, plum sauce, ground pepper, incense, and violet notes all emerge from the medium to full-bodied 2016 Praying Mantis, which has a rounded, sexy style, good acidity, and a clean finish. A blend of 83% Grenache, 11% Mourvedre, and 6% Syrah, drink it any time over the coming 7-8 years.