As we celebrate the Winter Solstice today, we bring you one of the shining lights out of Santa Barbara County (doesn’t that sound nice and warm?) Sanguis is a premier boutique winery that specializes in an eclectic style of white and red blends. Latin for blood, Sanguis was founded by the German-born Matthias Pippig. Pippig has previously worked as a wine importer for Marc DeGrazia Selections, and Estate Wines, as well as a brief stint at the famous Le Brea Bakery. He finally decided to start his own winery in the Santa Ynez Valley. If you haven’t had the chance to try his wines, you are in for a serious treat.
Pippig changes blends yearly in his Rhône and Bordeaux style wines, hand sorts each wine and never makes the same wine twice. Many of his wines weigh in at over 15% alcohol but they do not present as highly alcoholic. These wines are sourced from some of the best vineyards in the Santa Barbara and Central Coast area. One of the best white wines that I have tried out of California each year is the 2014 Sanguis ‘The Eighth Veil’ White Wine (WWB, 95) which landed on the 2017 WWB Top 100. This compelling blend ranges from tropical fruits to brioche, showing intense weight and a lovely acidity. Just as good was the 2014 Sanguis ‘Bossman’ Syrah (WWB, 95) which is a inky and intense rendition, while retaining marvelous tension. Learn more about these very special wines at sanguiswine.com or visit their hip tasting room in downtown Santa Barbara, which is by appointment. Here are the new releases by Sanguis.
2014 Sanguis 'Hat Trick' White Wine- This rich white blend is a compelling combination of Marsanne, Chardonnay and Roussanne from Vineyards slightly north of Santa Barbara. The wine was aged for 24 months in a combination of mature oak and stainless steel prior to bottling. This opens with a beautiful bouquet of apricot jelly, creme brulee and roasted pineapple, showing an exotic edge. The palate is ultra-dense as there are gorgeous flavors of peach pit, marzipan, and bananas foster that dazzle. Novel and beautifully textured, this is a stunning wine by Sanguis. Drink 2017-2027- 94
2014 Sanguis 'The Eighth Veil' White Wine- The 'Eighth Veil' is a proprietary white blend which was aged for 24 months in a combination of stainless steel and neutral oak. This golden colored wine opens with aromatics of beeswax, nectarine purée and mango. The viscosity and texture to this wine is decadent. Bananas foster, pineapple upside down cake, vanilla cream and brioche all beautifully mingle in the glass. The finish is highly memorable, showing strong shades of Meyer lemon creme. Unctuous and intoxicating, this is a stunner by superstar winemaker Mattias Pippig. Drink 2017-2027- 95
2014 Sanguis 'Bossman' Syrah- The 'Bossman' is sourced from cooler climate Vineyards in the Santa Ynez valley. Brooding in color, this Syrah shows graphite, bulls blood, black tea and blackberry compote flavors. Round and seductive, the wine showcases flavors reminiscent of milk chocolate, coffee grounds, sweet pipe tobacco and black cherry preserves. The combination of weight and tension is downright scintillating. Drink 2017-2033- 95
2013 Sanguis 'Loner R13-c' Pinot Noir- This outstanding Pinot Noir is crafted by superstar winemaker Mattias Pippig. Sourced from the Santa Rita Hills, this gorgeous wine needs at least two hours in the decanter to be fully expressive. After the long decant, the wine begins with a beautiful bouquet of ripe raspberry preserves, strawberry pie, cloves and ripe mulberry. The silky mid-palate glides and delivers ripe red raspberry cordial, spicebox, cherry cola and pomegranate seed flavors. The combination of weight and range here is particularly striking. Lithe and delicious at this juncture, this outstanding Pinot Noir can be enjoyed over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2017-2033- 95
2014 Sanguis 'Verve' Red Wine- The 'Verve' by Sanguis is a silky blend of Grenache, Syrah and Roussanne. The floral aromatics from the Roussanne show right out of the gate. Red cherry and prune aromatics complement the fragrant tones. The texture entices as does the red fruit flavors that mingle with peach cobbler and wet stones. Both bright and dense, enjoy this delightful effort over the next ten years. Drink 2017-2027- 94
2014 Sanguis 'Misfit' Red Wine- Novel and tooth staining, the 'Misfit' is a combination of Grenache, Petite Sirah and Viognier that was aged in a combination of new and used oak, as well as stainless steel for 26 months prior to bottling. This begins with red cherry syrup, white flowers, boysenberry preserves and a touch of milk chocolate. The palate is exceedingly dense, yet there is a striking minerality from the Viognier component. Roasted figs, lemon blossom, dark chocolate shavings and Turkish coffee all marvelously connect. This is unlike any wine in California. Drink 2017-2027- 95