It has now been more than a year since I have written about one of the jewels of Santa Barbara County. Back in 2011 I was at a great tasting and I was introduced to these wines that have literally blown up the Santa Barbara wine scene. Highly unique and gratifying wines, superstar winemaker, Mattias Pippig crafts some scintillating wines for his winery, Sanguis, truly one of the great boutique wineries in California. Pippig produces a really novel range of wines, from Viognier to Cabernet Franc. Latin for blood, the German-born Matthias Pippig previously worked as a wine importer for Marc DeGrazia Selections, and Estate Wines, before starting his winery in the Santa Ynez Valley. If you have never had a chance to try these wines, I highly recommend that you do.
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. However, the theme of impressive weight and texture runs through all of his wines. While the wines have good richness the tension that runs through the core of the wine is quite impressive as well. Pippig crafts makes some of the best white blends in California. The new edition, the 2016 Sanguis ‘The Ten Wings’ White Wine (WWB, 96) is a thrilling blend of Chardonnay, Roussanne and Viognier hat shows off its opulent texture and voluptuous mouthfeel. This is a white wine that will cellar marvelously for a decade or more. Just as good was the 2016 Sanguis ‘1/1’ Syrah (WWB, 96) which is massive and has an incredible deep core of dark fruits alongside wonderful freshness that runs through the wine. This inky Syrah is impossible to resist right now but will have a long life in the cellar. 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.
2015 Sanguis ‘Loner Le Dauphine’ Chardonnay- The 2015 ‘Loner Le Dauphine’ is another sensational wine by Sanguis. Sourced from the Bien Naciedo Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley, this begins with an intoxicating bouquet of white roses that combine with lemon zest and shades of damp earth with white truffle shavings that all take their shape in the glass. The palate has an incredibly soft mouthfeel and wondrous texture that gives this wine a seamless factor. The exceedingly long finish lingers. Gorgeous now, this will evolve well for another decade or more. Drink 2019-2032- 94
2016 Sanguis ‘The Ten Wings’ White Wine- The 2016 ‘The Ten Wings’ is comprised of of Central Coast Chardonnay, Roussanne and Viognier that truly captures the art of blending. Deeply hued, the wine shows off plenty of exotic appeal with its lychee and star jasmine aromas that mingle with shades of apricot and wet stone that all march in unison in the glass. The palate offers a gorgeous combination of freshness, weight and verve, with a dazzling display on the mid-palate ranging from green apple, to mango jelly to stony and earthy tones, as well as shades of Challah bread. The scintillating finish lingers. What an incredible blend by one of the California masters, Mattias Pippig. Drink 2019-2033- 96
2016 Sanguis ‘Two-Part Invention’ White Wine- The 2016 Sanguis ‘Two Part Invention’ White Wine is a stunning blend of Marsanne and Chardonnay that was aged for twenty seven months in large format oak and stainless steel prior to bottling. The wine begins with intense aromas of beeswax and honeysuckle that combine with suggestions of Pink Lady apple and suggestions of Earl Grey tea that mingle together. The freshness imparted is really good, as is the silky, opulent texture that marvelously coats the mid-palate. The finish is mind-boggling. Truly one of a kind, this gorgeous blend will cellar well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2019-2032- 95
2017 Sanguis ‘Sugerleggera’ Rose- This proprietary Central Coast wine shows off its beautiful salmon hue and begins with aromas of teaberry with ripe raspberry and shades of white peach that all mingle together in the glass. The palate is plush, taking on a stunningly rich mouthfeel and great sense of opulence. Dense and decadent, the wine shows off ripe red cherry, nectarine, lychee and earthy tones on the palate. This rather massive Rose drinks better considerably warmer when you can get a feel for this stunning texture. Kudos to superstar winemaker Mattias Pippig for crafting truly one of the best Rose wines in North America. Drink 2019-2026- 94
2014 Sanguis ‘Loner Whale Song’ Pinot Noir- The 2014 ‘Loner Whale Song’ is a gorgeous new Pinot Noir bottling which was entirely sourced from the John Sebastiano Vineyard. Toasty oak wraps around shades of cloves, Yakima cherry and loganberry on this beautiful nose. Soft and round, the wine reveals a generous and rich texture. The bright acidity of the wine really shines as minerals mingle with a deep core of red fruits and baking spices on the palate. The long and inviting finish completes this great Pinot Noir. Gorgeous in its youth, this rich and downright delicious bottling will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2019-2033- 94
2016 Sanguis ‘Bossman’ Red Wine- The ‘Bossman’ is a stunning blend of Syrah, Petit Sirah, Grenache and Viognier that was aged for twenty five months in 60% new French oak before bottling. High toned white flowers combine with lavender and blackberry compote on this expressive nose. The palate is deep, layered and exceptionally good as the wine delivers rich black fruits that mingle with shades of creosote, baking spices and mocha. Fantastic in its youth, the ‘Bossman’ tells you that it has a long way to go in the bottle. Drink 2019-2035- 94
2016 Sanguis ‘Misfit’ Red Wine- One of the unusual, consistently great wines made in California, the 2016 ‘Misfit’ is an intriguing blend of 35% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Franc, 10% Grenache, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Petite Sirah, & 5% Viognier, aged in 35% new French and Acacia oak barrels. On the nose this shows off shades of honeysuckle that parade with a deep core of dark fruits, chocolate and baking spices that all meld in the glass. The palate is intense and generous, showing an exotic range of citrus fruits alongside bright Bing cherry, cigar ash, blackberry compote and shades of milk chocolate. Simply irresistible right now, the ‘Misfit’ will enjoy another fifteen plus years in the cellar. Drink 2019-2035- 95
2016 Sanguis ‘Since You Asked Kindly’ Red Wine- The ‘Since You Asked Kindly’ Red Wine is a decadent blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot and Syrah. The wonderful hint of tobacco leaf on the nose mingles with ripe black currants and exotic spices that mingle in the glass. The freshness and texture of the wine is gorgeous, giving this a wonderful sense of elegance and verve. The seamless quality of the wine makes this effortlessly dance across the mid-palate — all leading to the stunning black fruit and mineral-driven finish. Highly gratifying in its youth, the ‘Since You Asked Kindly’ will provide drinking enjoyment for at least another fifteen years. Drink 2019-2035- 95
2016 Sanguis ‘Verve’ Red Wine- The Sanguis ‘Verve’ Red Wine is a stunning blend of Grenache, Petit Sirah and Roussanne. Bright red fruits mingle with cinnamon, citrus rind and suggestions of tar on the exotic nose. The palate has great density and freshness, showing of a bright beam of salinity and mouth-watering acidity that runs through the core of red fruits. Singular and truly one of a kind, this beautiful, Grenache-dominant wine is gorgeous now and will cellar well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 95
2016 Sanguis ‘The Highlands’ Red Wine- The 2016 ‘The Highlands’ was sourced from the Two Wolves Vineyard (78%) as well as the Happy Canyon Vineyard (22%). The wine marries 75% Cabernet Franc, with 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Petit Verdot which was all aged in 45% new French Oak barrels prior to bottling. Red rose petals mingle with tar, cigar box and blackberry pie on the nose. The palate is plush and dense, showing off a great combination of richness and minerality. Black fruits share the limelight with black tea, creosote and exotic spices on the palate. Fantastic now, this will age well for at least fifteen years. Drink 2019-2035- 95
2016 Sanguis ‘The Modern’ Red Wine- An unusual blend of Syrah, Viognier and Petit Verdot, ‘The Modern’ opens with mocha, tar, black licorice and suggestions of baking spices that all meld in the glass. The palate has a wonderfully soft texture, unveiling a good sense of richness, salinity and tension. Citrus rind accents mingle with red fruits and shades of milk chocolate on the palate. Simply gorgeous now, this truly one of a kind bottling will evolve well for ten to fifteen years. Drink 2019-2032- 95
2016 Sanguis ‘1/1’ Syrah- Massive, burly and hedonistic, the ‘1/1’ Syrah was entirely sourced from the Santa Rita Hills AVA. The nose takes on deep dark fruits that mingle with cloves, cardamon and suggestions of coffee grounds that all take shape in the glass. The palate is exceedingly dense but effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Deep loganberry preserves, cigar ash, smoked brisket, leather and blackberry cobbler flavors all combine marvelously on the palate. This deftly walks the tightrope between power and elegance. A true heavyhitter by Mattias Pippig, the ‘1/1’ Syrah will cellar well for the next fifteen years — but is impossible to resist right now. Drink 2019-2035- 96