We tried these two new Bucklin OldHillRanch reds last week at Pig+Fig:
1. Bucklin OldHillRanch Ancient Grenache (15.8%; 80 cs) 2022: Very dark color; very intense Grenache/strawberry/boysenberry huge fruit light toasty/oak bit dusty/OV almost Priorat-like Grenache very intense fruit nose; lightly tart very intense Grenache/boysenberry/blackberry/strawberry rather dusty/OV bit toasty/oak beautiful flavor w/ ample ripe tannins; very long/lingering intense Grenache fruit finish that mimics flavor; a beautiful intensely fruity Grenache that's a dead-ringer for a Priorat Grenache w/o all the oak; a spectacular expression of Calif Grenache. $52.00
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2. Bucklin OldHillRanch PetiteSirah (14.4%; 25 yr old head-pruned dry farmed; 10 mo. in Fr.oak; 46 cs) 2021: Very dark/near black color; intense blackberry/PS/bit licorice/slight peppery strong toasty/Fr.oak huge fruit classic PS nose; lightly tart/metallic very strong PS/licorice/peppery/boysenberry/blackberry some toasty/Fr.oak fairly dusty/OV rather structured some complex flavor w/ ample chewy tannins; very long/lingering intense boysenberry finish that follows flavor; a huge classic expression of Calif PS that avoids the oafish/clunky side that PS often shows; beautiful PS at a great price; needs 4-8 yrs of age yet; this is how they's make PS in the Priorat if they could. $36.00
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More firklesplat from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. Both of these reds were mightly impressive for their intensity & extract. The OldHillRanch is truly one of the great OV vnyds of Calif and WillBucklin does a great job making the wines at a reasonable price.
Tom