2019 Halcon Vineyards Esquisto

Community Tasting Note

WetRock wrote:

Wednesday, January 25, 2023 - I've often struggled with this bottling in comparison to the excellent Syrahs and this was no exception. There is some really compelling complex, focused fruit here coming into its own. At issue is the intensity of the stem inclusion. It comes off as a bit too green and powerful, calling attention to itself just when you want to get lost in the fruit. It seems too green to really integrate with age in my experience. Yet the fruit is the most compelling I've had from the Esquisto bottling so there is some hope that it will be able to combat that green pepper power.

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5 comments have been posted

Comment posted by Decanting Queen:

1/28/2023 6:46:00 AM - I know it is hard to predict, but when would you say the best time to open will be? Assuming the fruit can win..
Comment posted by WetRock:

1/28/2023 9:58:00 AM - It is difficult to predict something like this. I don't know that I've know a wine that was so stemmy in its youth to integrate fully with bottle time. I also know some people don't notice it as strongly as I do so there are many who probably enjoy this now, as is. Luckily this is not completely overwhelmed by the stem inclusion. I'd say give it a go in the next couple years and see what you think. I certainly thought the fruit was the most deep and complex of the Esquistos I've tried.
Comment posted by danielito:

1/28/2023 12:47:00 PM - Thanks for the note. I loved the Esquistos of vintages 2012-2015. Just opened a 2015 last night found it excellent, not overpowered by the stem inclusion. But the 2016 is definitely overpowered, astringent as you stated in your note, which is unfortunate since I still have a bunch, and I'm not optimistic the astringency will dissipate with time. Maybe the stems were extra unripe that year? Haven't opened any of the later vintages yet, but Paul's release notes say the stem inclusion percentage was 30% for both 2015 and 2016, 40% for 2017 and 2018, and 50% for 2019.
Comment posted by Decanting Queen:

1/29/2023 5:59:00 AM - Wetrock thanks for your thoughts. I will hold a year or two and see what happens.
Very interesting to read how the vintages have changes re stem inclusion over the years.
Comment posted by WetRock:

1/29/2023 3:15:00 PM - Yes. Thank you for the details Danielito. Interesting that the percentage went up rather than down. I'd be interested in understanding what Paul was after with it.