2019 Niner Wine Estates Bootjack Red 750ml

   With over 20 years into his farming and winemaking journey. Richard Niner discovered Paso Robles in the 1990s and immediately fell in love with the land and the people. In both he saw potential to compete with premier wine regions around the world. He purchased his first vineyard in 2001 and added Heart Hill Vineyard in 2003. That year marked their first vintage: a small bottling of Bordeaux wines. The tasting room and winery opened in Spring of 2010 and Richard purchased Jespersen Ranch in 2012. In 2013 his son Andy took over the business with the goal of continuing his Dad’s legacy.

   The grapes in this blend were grown at the Niner family's two estate vineyards in Paso Robles. Heart Hill Vineyard is located in the Willow Creek District and Bootjack Ranch in the Geneseo District. Only 13 miles apart, differences in soil and climate between the two create very different expressions of place. We find that both vineyards complement each other in a blend to produce a wine that is a great representation of the quality that Paso Robles can achieve.

   Niner's goal in the winery is always to treat each varietal separately using techniques that preserve the best characteristics of each. As a foundation they have used Cabernet Sauvignon for structure, Malbec for a juicy component, Cabernet Franc for fine tannin and length, and Merlot for subtle fruit and finesse. All other varietals in the blend are accent pieces, each adding spice and different fruit characteristics. The barrels selected along with the amount of time spent in barrel brought all of the individual pieces together in a cohesive way.

This cleverly complex and impressive blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon,  Malbec, Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Merlot is another high value: It's muscular but also nuanced. Black-fruit tones predominate but are merely the core of a broad sensory spectrum. Spice and light toast notes from French oak (48% new) lend complexity, and the likely cost of those barrels makes one wonder how this wine snuck past the company accountants.