Ancient Peaks’ Margarita Vineyard in the new Santa Margarita Ranch AVA is the southernmost vineyard in Paso Robles. Nestled into the rugged Santa Lucia Mountain range just 22 km from the Pacific Ocean, Margarita Vineyards features a rare diversity of soils churned up by the tectonic forces that created the mountain peaks. The mountains act as a gateway that draws in cool ocean air, and this cool microclimate extends the growing season. Fruit grown here develops exceptional depth and structure.

This Cabernet draws fruit comes from four distinct blocks of Margarita Vineyard. The rocky shale of Block 50 promotes naturally low vigour and dark, intensely-flavoured fruit. The soils are less rocky at nearby Block 49, where the flavours lean toward red fruit. At Block 11, Block 14, and Block 15, ancient sea bed soils and cool growing conditions yield fruit with earthier structure and firm tannins. The qualities of these blocks combine to bring dimension and nuance to the final blend.

Following a 48-hour cold soak to extract colour and flavour, wine was fermented and racked to French and American oak, where it aged for 16 months prior to blending and bottling.

This Cabernet Sauvignon presents dark fruit aromas of black cherry and cassis with suggestions of black olive, graphite, and tobacco leaf. A broad, mouthfilling texture unfolds with flavours of red cherry, currant, blackberry, and kirsch. Lingering notes of cedar, anise, and clove spice are woven into a juicy, lively finish.

“A single vineyard cabernet sauvignon from the Margarita vineyard, the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles region – just 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The Santa Margarita Ranch AVA features diversity of soil types including ancient sea bed, alluvium and shale. Featuring notes of Mmineral, strawberry jam, fresh figs, laurel on the well-poised palate with nicely ripened tannins, a balanced level of alcohol and oak. Still quite youthful with verve on the finish. Best 2023-2028.”
91 points, Sara d’Amato, Wine Align, March 2022