Stereotypes can be more myth than fact. Contrary to popular belief, us Welsh are not all hill-dwelling Celtic barbarians who can hold a tune. Few are proficient at rugby and not everyone shares the surname Jones. Likewise, Cabernet does not have to be a brutish fullback in an oaken cigar box to be world-class. Rather older vines, such as these, can have an elegance, complexity, and a sophistication that far outweighs the best collegiate teams. We impart further complexity with a restrained use of fine French oak coopered in the iconic Cognac region.

Certified Historic Vineyard by Historic Vineyard association.

Gold. LA Invitational Wine Comp, March 2025

One forgets, amidst the passage of time, what a success story Viognier has become.  We're not talking about the cooling fogs that grace this sun-drenched hillside vineyard, but about a grape that was nearly extinct by 1965, with a global production of just 211 cases. This truly illustrates that, from time to time, when the galactic alignment is conducive, the fish are jumping, and the cotton is high, all is not lost.  Our current production of 220 cases is certainly not lost on us either. This, then, is quintessentially what a coastally influenced Viognier should smell and taste like: mere hints of tropical notes adding to the complexity. Balanced and varietally correct, it's perfect for summertime when the livin' is easy, and best paired with Britpop on vinyl.  Or, perhaps, any good music on vinyl.

96pts. Best of Class. Intl Women's Wine Comp, July 2024

“Open are the double doors of the horizon. Unlocked are its bolts. Clouds darken, the stars rain down, the constellations stagger and the bones of the hell hounds tremble”. 

This interpretation of an ancient hieroglyphic is a little contested, but we think the “Walk Like An Egyptian” circa 1330 BC might have been much better at announcing new releases, such as this stunning Malbec, than some of the muppets who influence online wine sales these days. Or in more modern English a cosmically dark beast of a wine that makes quite the entrance and perhaps pairs well with a instagramable 360 panorama.

Best of Class. SF Chronicle Wine Competition, January 2025

Sometimes you just have to take things really, really easy. Once said an 80’s seductive, animated, Cadbury’s Chocolate bunny! Excellent marketing BTW, and not unlike our Rosé winemaking philosophy. Harvest was desperately late, yet we still took our time. We took it so easy that we bottled a whole two months tardy. The resultant report card is a refreshing white cherry/berry medley, it's a dry, dry Bordeaux-inspired, oh so, refreshing rosé. With a lightness of touch that comes directly from fifty plus year old Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Perhaps you can indeed teach an old vine to mellow in time. Oh, and the marketing Gurus even had time to dress it in a fancy schmancy new seductive couture bottle. Relax, watch grass dry and paint grow, enjoy.

90 pts. James Suckling, September 2024

This wine has clearly decided that its time on earth is limited and rather than age gracefully, it should mature with mischief, rascality and audacity. Along the way it will tell its own alluring story. Therefore this might not be for those Southern Softie Sassenachs that occasionally frequent these parts, unless they want to squirrel it away for some time. Now don’t get me wrong, with the underlying smoothness of 50% “ye olde vine” Brecon Cabernet and the opulent dark forest fruit from our Petit Verdot, we suspect this will meld into something remarkably long lived.

Double Gold. SF Chronicle Wine Competition, January 2025

The Budgie is back! Brecon’s infrequent version of “cross border diplomacy.” This old world genre-busting blend was secretly conceived as far away from the U.N. as possible. (Bondi Beach, the spiritual home of said Budgie Smuggler) by our often less than diplomatic vinomaker. Blending proceeded with representatives from Bordeaux, the Rhone and Northern Spain. Strangely the final Budgie Smuggler would be most at home on the Iberian peninsula as it is more reminiscent of a complex, spicy, cigar box, leathery but elegant Spanish red!

91 pts, Gold. LA Invitational Wine Comp, March 2025

Is it important to flirt with dirt? “That be the question”! These Brecon Estate vines certainly have a thing going on between their own roots and our calcareous hilltop subsoils. Our friendly neighbourhood bard (Aka Winemaker) would also like to point out that arguably the best Franc’s in Bordeaux play footsie with a similar Calcareous bedrock in St. Emilion. The result is lovely bright natural acids. This combined with our coastally influenced locale means a long hang time and flavours that get truly flavor ripe. It's a lush red fruit complexity that is unmatched in the region. But “alas poor Yorik”, It’s truly a Shakespearean tragedy that these playful wines don't stick around.

Gold. SF Chronicle Wine Competition, January 2025

93 pts, Gold. LA Invitational Wine Comp, March 2025

Think you are stepping out of your comfort zone with Mourvèdre? Think again! Mourvèdre has been the backbone of many collectible Rhône wines for centuries. It's French, so it's rarely on the label! However, in Paso, it shines with dark enigmatic fruit, rich mouthfeel, and beguiling color. Brecon wines are all experiential so we encourage you to imbibe out of said zone. Hint: try with feet dipped in an icy mountain stream, baby fish nibbling at your toes. It sends shivers down your spine! Complemented by the warmth of the Mourvèdre, the earthy aromatics seem right at home near the forest floor. Guppies in a fish tank will never be the same!

Award of Excellence Somm Journal, February 2025

93 pts. James Suckling, September 2024

This wine honors a Major Milestone and perhaps is a nod to how time flies. It really has been ten crazy years since we purchased what is now Brecon Estate. Along the way we tried to take a path less traveled, picking up a somewhat colorful inner circle and rather unconventional influences. This special wine aims to reflect all this and improve on our ever popular “42” Rhone Blend, “the answer to life, the universe and everything.” A little more color, structure and silkiness, perhaps thanks to the addition of some tiny-berried Petite Sirah baby vines. Best saved for a special occasion or large family gathering. 

92 pts. James Suckling, September 2022
93 pts. purely domestic wine report, December 2022

The whole raison d’etre of a single vineyard offering is to highlight a particular vineyard that is the epitome of a particular region or is highly individualistic. This one falls “square peg in a round hole” in the latter camp. It's a lesser known clone planted in an unusual cooler spot and harvests so late that the holidays and Santa are clearly in its sights. The resulting wines are among the most interesting, bright, lively, expressions of a structured Mourvedre you will see. It does not feel kinship with other Paso Robles Mourvedres and is better showcased on its own.