Rhone Red Blend, Margerum 'M5' BTG

M5 stands not only for the five varietals they use to make the blend [grenache, syrah, mourvèdre, cinsault, counoise], but coincidentally, it is also for the five nested AVAs they source from [37% Santa Ynez Valley, 33% Los Olivos District, 13% San Luis Obispo, 11% Sta. Rita Hills, 6% Happy Canyon].

Each varietal was pressed after fermentation and matured for 10 months in seasoned and neutral French oak barrels and large puncheon casks individually before being racked one time to blend for bottling.

The aromas are intoxicating wild red and blue brambleberry mixed with an intriguing rusticity redolent of dried herbs, Santa Barbara garrigue [open shrubby vegetation of dry Mediterranean regions, consisting of spiny or aromatic dwarf shrubs interspersed with colorful ephemeral species], and roasted meats.

The palate is a complex combination of wild red berried fruit and spice, surrounded by a mouth coating and pleasing taste. The overlying presence of Grenache flavors initially brighten the palate, followed by a rich finish complete with hints of dark red/blue fruits.