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. I won’t forget the first time that I tried these viscous, novel wines. Sanguis, truly one of the great boutique wineries in California. Superstar winemaker Matthias 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.
I am always amazed by the Rose that Sanguis makes and this edition from 2018, their ‘Amor For No. 5’ (WWB, 94) is quite literally the best Rose that I have had this year in North America. The texture and aromatic flavor range is unreal, as this beautiful wine is better warmed up a bit. Pippig crafts makes some of the best white blends in California. The new edition, the 2017 Sanguis ‘Stolen Moments’ White Wine (WWB, 95) is fresh and vibrant yet has an incredible texture and rich 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, 95) which deep and inky, yet having a weightless feel once on the mouth. 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.
2017 Sanguis ‘Stolen Moments’ White Wine- The 2017 Stolen Moments by Sanguis is a mesmerizing white blend that needs about two hours in the decanter to fully evolve. After some air layers of nectarine rind, beeswax, lychee and ripe pineapple all magically combine to fill this exotic bouquet. The palate is lush, showing a wonderful sense of mouthfeel and powerful vein of tension that runs through the copious orchard and citrus fruits, with earthy undertones. Gobs of mouth watering acidity and tremendous length contribute to the drinking enjoyment. A complete wine, the 2017 ‘Stolen Moments’ White Wine will enjoy a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2033- 95
2017 Sanguis ‘The Secret’ White Wine- Sourced from the Santa Ynez Valley, the 2017 ‘The Secret’ like the other Sanguis wines really needs a two hour decant to fully evolve. Right away you are drawn to the tones of honeydew melon, pink grapefruit blossom and crisp Pink Lady apple aromatics with baking spices that all collide in the glass. The palate has a great feel of freshness and a soft texture. The gratifying length to the wine really adds to the enjoyment as sour Yakima cherry and melon tones meld with the wet stone and damp earth accents of the wine. A long-ager, the 2017 ‘The Secret’ is brilliant in its youth and will cellar well for another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 94
2018 Sanguis ‘Amor Fou No. 5’ Rose- The 2018 ‘Amor Fou No. 5’ is nothing short of a masterpiece by the hands of Matthias Pippig. This shows slightly better warmed up a bit. Showing off its unique brown and yellow tones, the Rose needs an hour decant to fully evolve. Damp earth tones combine with shades of red currants an red cherry preserves on the nose. The palate is exceedingly gratifying with excellent weight, acidity and a sensational finish as the crescendo. The salty and savory undertones of the wine add to the enjoyment. As it grasps for more air, the texture comes on even stronger becoming downright pillowy. Truly sensational in its youth, the ‘Amour Fo No. 5’ Rose will have a long life in the cellar, picking up earthy tones as it ages. Drink 2020-2028- 94
2016 Sanguis ‘Loner’ Chardonnay- This marks the last Chardonnay that Matthias Pippig will make from the famed Bien Nacido Vineyard. The wine shows pretty lemon blossom tones that combine with poached pear and vanilla creme brûlée on the nose. Showing seriously good stony terroir, a light dusting of salinity falls upon the core of pear and apple fruits with hints of bananas foster adding to the decadence. Rich and layered with gorgeous length, this stunning wine will enjoy al long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2033- 95
2017 Sanguis ‘Bossman’ Red Wine-The 2017 ‘Bossman’ is a gorgeous blend of Syrah, Petit Sirah, Grenache and Viognier that was aged for twenty five months in 60% new French oak before bottling. A decadent treat to consume, the layers of toasty oak wrap around the deep core of dark and blue fruits with tobacco leaf tones, exotic spices and chocolate covered espresso bean providing an err of decadence. The length and texture is just insanely good. Lingering long, with great freshness, this beautiful red blend will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 95
2017 Sanguis ‘Verve’ Red Wine- Always highly unique, the 2017 ‘Verve’ is a gorgeous blend of Grenache, Petit Sirah and Roussanne. The high tones from the nose really entice as citrus blossom and bright red fruits combine with the rich dark tones aromatically. The palate is plush, showing great weight and acidity. Layers of pomegranate seed and blackberry compote mingle with a feeling of dusty and salty terroir. Long and lingering at the end, the 2017 ‘Verve’ will cellar well for another decade or more. Drink 2020-2035- 95
2017 Sanguis ‘Tell Me A Tale’ Cabernet Sauvignon- the 2017 Sanguis ‘Tell Me A tale’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a simply marvelous effort that has a long life ahead of it. Sourced from the Santa Ynez Valley, the Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a beautiful bouquet of blackberry pie and mocha tones that combine with chocolate covered espresso bean and tar that all mingle in the glass. The weight of this wine is highly gratifying as the bright acidity brings you back to the glass for more enjoyment Hedonistic and layered with outstanding length, this beautiful wine will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2020-2035- 95
2017 Sanguis ‘1/1’ Grenache- This Central Coast AVA bottling is translucent in the glass. Not needing any time in the decanter, right away you are amazed by the pretty high tones of red rose petal, lychee, orange blossom and shades of cloves that all dance in the glass. The palate unveils a silky elegance with a wonderful tension and mouthfeel. Layers of bright red fruits meld with citrus rind and stony undertones. This is truly one of the great Grenache wines made in California with the combination of finesse, richness and bright, mouth-watering acidity. Layered and downright delicious in its youth, the ‘1/1’ Grenache will cellar well for the next decade or more. Drink 2020-2033- 95
2017 Sanguis ‘1/1/ Syrah- Sourced from the Santa Rita Hills AVA, the ‘1/1’ Syrah is another sensational release by the talented Matthias Pippig. The earthy accents really provide good range on the nose with the core of dark fruits, citrus blossom and cocoa powder tones. The palate is silky smooth and marvelously textured. Layers of ripe red and black fruits march in unison with orange rind and peat moss tones on the palate. The gratifying length, bright acidity and weight all add to the enjoyment. Gorgeous to enjoy in its youth, the 2017 ‘1/1’ Syrah will cellar well for another decade to come. Drink 2020-2033- 95
2017 Sanguis ‘The Modern’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘The Modern’ by Sanguis is a gorgeous blend of Syrah with a small portion of Viognier. The smoky and savory aromatic tones really entice with citrus blossom mingling with the smoked pork shoulder and bacon fat tones alongside the core of dark fruits. The wine is beautifully textured, showing off incredible length and a seamless effect as this dance across the mid-palate. Bright cranberry and red currants combine with the smoky and earthy tones of the wine, with orange zest accents. Gorgeous to enjoy in its youth, the 2017 ‘The Modern’ Red Wine will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2033- 95
2017 Sanguis ‘The Optimist’ Red Wine- The Sanguis ‘The Optimist’ is a one of a kind blend of Syrah, Grenache, Petit Verdot and Roussanne. Bell pepper tones combine with star jasmine, deep red fruits and tobacco tones on the nose. The palate is silky smooth showing off an incredible mouthfeel and texture. Pipe tobaocco, leather and green bell pepper tones mingle with smoked brisket, orange rind and blackberry compote on the palate. The flavor and aromatic range here is nothing short of insanely good. Gorgeous to savor right now, the 2017 ‘The Optimist’ will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2020-2033- 95
2017 Sanguis ‘The Highlands’ Red Wine- A proprietary blend sourced from a warmer part of the Santa Ynez Valley, the 2017 ‘The Highlands’ red wine shows pretty rose water and red cherry candy that mingles with shades of cinnamon, clove and Mandarin orange zest on the nose. The texture and verve of the wine is seriously good as this gives off an err of elegance. Bright red fruits and citrus rind accents dance with the earthy and smoky tones of the wine. Wait for the exceedingly long finish at the end. Drink 2020-2033- 95