Source: Issue 253 End of February 2021, The Wine Advocate; Issue Date: 26th Feb 2021 (RP-93)

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Proprietary Red Machete needs some swirling to reveal a core of beautiful crushed black plums, boysenberries and black cherry compote plus hints of cracked black pepper, garrigue and camphor. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is laden with muscular, crunchy black fruits and plush tannins, finishing long with lovely freshness. 22,563 cases were made.
Drink Date: 2021 – 2031

Source: Winemaker

It’s a strange thing hearing you’ve caught people off guard. They are not quite sure what they have in front of them; they turn away confused, turn back and inspect it again ? what is this? And we’re not even talking about the labels yet.
The wine itself, a Petite Sirah – based blend, is not a typical wine; it exudes a powerful punch with a lingering delicacy a dichotomy of sorts.
Sourced from all over the state, Machete is a culmination of bird-dogging some of the best Petite Sirah, Grenache and Syrah vineyards that produce rich and flavorful fruit. Blind tasted to determine quality, the lots that make the Machete cut pun intended are qualified to be one with the family of labels.

WINEMAKER’S NOTES:
Pure inky garnet in the glass, the aromatics of plum compote, wild blackberries, crushed gravel, peanut brittle and Tahitian vanilla emanate. Massive on the entry, the mid-palate is diverse with flavors of dark plums, black pepper, Amarena cherries, slow-roasted Moroccan lamb and a marbled leather texture. Rich, enveloping and vivacious, the wine finishes with perpetuating energy and length not to mention the satisfying tannins that rouse a desire for more.

BLEND: Petite Sirah, Syrah and Grenache
MATURATION: Aged for 12 months in French Oak: 38 % new
ALC/VOL: 15.2%