Richard Hanke and Gary Robinson are lifelong friends that started Left Bent and Mashup WInery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. They wanted to do something different in the industry noting that most commercial wineries release wines quickly and before they are ready to drink. They came up with the idea to craft a multi-vintage blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah and in 2010 Left Bend was founded. Their winery uses a solar system that blends each year.
I had the chance to enjoy most of these wines that had been created since their inception. I love wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains and the overall theme of these wines was poise, structure and good flavor density. I particularly love the NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version Seven’ Red Wine which is mainly Cabernet and Syrah. This is delicious stuff to enjoy now. Learn more at https://www.mashupwine.com/our-story and here are my reviews of the Left Bend wines.
NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version 3’ Red Wine- The ‘Version 3’ comes from the Solera established in 2010 and this version was bottled in 2017. Black tea and rich figs mark the palate alongside a silky texture and bright underlying acidity. Drink 2024-2030- 91
NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version Five’ Red Wine-The ‘Version Five’ comes from the Solera and was bottled in 2019. This is rich and elegant wine with dense dark fruits, chocolate pie and shades of black licorice. Delicious now, enjoy over the next six plus years to come. Drink 2024-2031- 92
NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version Six’ Red Wine- The NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version Six’ Red Wine was bottled in May 2020 during the heat of the pandemic. This is fresh and smooth with a great combination of red and dark fruits, with shades of pencil lead and coffee grounds. Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Drink 2024-2031- 92
NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version Seven’ Red Wine- The really good NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version Seven’ Red Wine combines 47% Cabernet Sauvignon with 40% Syrah and the remainder Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Dried herbs and red bell pepper mark the nose alongside dense dark fruits and pencil lead. The palate is soft and elegant with a smooth texture. Enjoy this beautiful wine know and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 92
NV Left Bend Mashup Version Eight Red Wine- The NV Left Bend Version Eight was established with the 2010 vintage as this Santa Cruz Mountains wine offers blackberry and black currants with refined tannins, espresso grinds and suggestions of black tea on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 92
NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version Nine’ Red Wine- The really good NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version Nine’ Red Wine is soft and approachable right now. Loganberry and black currants mark the palate alongside pencil lead and shades of coffee grounds. Great now, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 92