The 2019 Walson Holland Mélange Rouge is a compelling proprietary blend from the Santa Barbara region of California's Central Coast. This red wine showcases a robust varietal composition of 47% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 12% Graciano, and a hint of Petite Sirah. This particular vintage is noted for its deep ruby to purple hues and a bouquet that combines blackberry, currants, peppery herbs, and baking spices.
Jeb Dunnuck, writing for jebdunnuck.com, commends the 2019 Mélange Rouge as an impressive release, scoring it 95 points. He highlights its "full-bodied richness" and "round, layered mouthfeel," praising its velvety tannins and elegant finish. Dunnuck emphasizes the wine's balance of elegance and density, suggesting it can be enjoyed over the next decade or more.
The Wine Independent offers an even higher score of 96, describing the wine's color as medium to deep garnet-purple. The tasting notes reveal "peppery notes" followed by scents of "stewed plums, Morello cherries, and boysenberry." This review highlights the wine's "firm backbone of grainy tannins" and the long finish that carries a lively energy.
Vinous, on the other hand, gives the wine a respectable score of 92, characterizing it as a "rich boisterous wine" with plenty of punch. Antonio Galloni notes its super-ripe red and purplish fruit flavors, complemented by elements of lavender, licorice, rose petal, and menthol.
The 2019 Mélange Rouge is crafted from grapes sourced from various notable vineyards, including Slide Hill, Rancho Boa Vista, Martian Ranch, and Tommy Town Thoroughbreds. This blend reflects the collaborative efforts of winemaker Benjamin Holland and vineyard owner Jonas Svensson, positioning Walson Holland as an emerging name in the Central Coast wine scene.