Lienert Vineyards Jack West Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2020

Fruit is the thing here. There’s a lot of it, in a good, ripe, robust, compelling kind of way.The fruit captures the energy of the Jack West brand which is all about approachable wine drinking with a dash of class. For $25 you get your money’s worth.

Deep, dark stewed plums, blackberries, some mataro peppery-thyme spice and chocolate richness lifts the bouquet. Runs smooth and plentiful over the tongue assisted by a pronounced (in a good way) tannin structure and warm, gentle oak. Dares to even add a touch of complexity. Nice.