Halcón Esquisto Grenache Blend 2018

There’s no shame in admitting you haven’t heard of Halcón before. This rising star of a cult producer from the Yorkville Highlands of Mendocino County (Mendo to locals) in Northern Cali lays claim to the highest-altitude vineyard in the region. The wind-lashed mountainous plot contains densely-planted vines grown in the same type of ancient shist soils that are found in Cote-Rôtie. Paul and Jackie Gordon, the team behind Halcón, are making arguably the closest thing to Rhône-style reds (and a bit of pinot noir) that can be found in North America (and doing it organically). These are rare wines that will reset your understanding of how much balance, nuance and complexity can come out of California wines. 

Esquisto is the Gordon’s take on the famous Southern Rhône GSM, but with a bit more M than S in this one. It’s 70% grenache, 20% mourvedre and 10% syrah, and the winemaking utilised 40% whole clusters, native yeast and only seasoned French oak. Wine Enthusiast Magazine put Esquisto as #28 in their Top 100 Cellar Selections with the raving review found below.