Times change, and the show must go on! For the first time, Mourvèdre is notably absent from the Ritual blend. The vines were pulled out in 2015, but the upside is we now have old vine Charbono from Frediani Vineyard in the mix! The wine has turned out splendidly with an exciting clarity and focus that is just plain gorgeous. Pure aromatics of strawberry compote, ripe blackberry, cherry pie, bramble and garrigue as well as a light touch of cracked pepper jump from the glass. The Grenache base brings new freshness and detail to the palate, but with the deep, hedonistic flavors and powerful finish that lovers of Ritual have come to expect. 46% Grenache, 26% Syrah, 18% Carignane, 5% Petite Sirah and 5% Charbono.
Coming all from a single site of very old vines, the 2016 Ritual Heritage Blend checks in as a blend of 46% Grenache, 26% Syrah, 18% Carignan, and the rest Syrah and Petite Sirah. This ripe, sexy blend has tons of blackberry and black cherry fruits, plenty of tobacco, peppery herbs, graphite, and complex sandalwood aromas, medium to full body, no hard edges, and a seductive, complex, oh, so delicious style.
Full-bodied, rich and deeply structured, with dark raspberry, smoky meat and cracked pepper flavors that build drama toward big but polished tannins. Grenache, Syrah, Carignane, Charbono and Petit Sirah. Drink now through 2026.
A blend of 46% Grenache, 26% Syrah, 18% Carignane, 5% Charbono and 5% Petite Sirah aged 21 months in older French oak barrels and puncheons, the 2016 Ritual Heritage Blend is medium to deep garnet-purple in color and opens with vibrant redcurrants, black berries, mulberries and plums with loads of spice box, black pepper and garrigue notions plus wafts of potpourri and dried herbs. Full, rich and concentrated, with amazing freshness cutting through the dense layers, it has a firm, grainy frame and long pepper-laced finish.
