Brits are best known for the Barmy Army, Monty Python, Mad dogs and Englishmen. Hummmm seems to be a trend here. So it was no surprise that Brecon was initially considered Barking Mad for hanging their hats on an Albarino as one of their signature wines. After scoring 96 points twice in two days in 2015. The method to their madness has become quite clear.

Even in Portugal/Northern Spain the best examples of these wonderfully crisp yet aromatic food wines come from within a couple of miles of the coast. In California, marine fogs cool the grapes, resulting in a long ripening period, super intense flavors and aromatics. The tropical complexity/richness was so intense in 2016 we deftly melded in around 10% Albariño from other ranches to ensure the varietally correct citrine characters were suitably enhanced.

94 Pts. purely domestic wine report. Sept 2017

91 Pts. Wine Enthusiast

90 Pts. Vinous

Would you believe the sixteen month absence of Mourvedre from the Brecon lineup has been described as the pain of unrequited love! “La douleur exquise”... The exquisite pain or the heartache of wanting something you can’t have. Indeed we skipped a vintage in 2015, as what little Mourvedre we had in went into our red Rhone blend program. Signature naturally sweet forest fruit characters, smooth but with excellent length. In fact it’s a fully ripe hilltop Mourvedre overlain with a framework of complex smoky and earthy notes found only in 1st class examples.

92 Pts. Wine Enthusiast

94 Pts. purley domestic wine report July 2018

92 Pts. Jeb Dunnuck. Nov 2018

"The 2016 Mourvèdre also was brought up in a mix of French and American oak, one-third being new. It offers terrific purity of fruit and freshness as well as classic notes of bright cherries, red plums, flowers, and underbrush aromas and flavors. It has fine tannins and is a seamless, approachable Mourvèdre that should keep for 7-8 years."

A single vineyard Albarino in disguise, (Read we forgot to put it in on the label). Actually consists of two of the three available clones from the oldest serious planting of Albarino. (Jack Ranch) in the Edna valley.  Those pesky little winemakers at Brecon, ferment exclusively in Oak barrels with Acacia heads. Acacia can enhance floral notes and structure without adding vanilla the toasty notes associated with a Quercus species. Think white peach overtones with an underlying Zesty grapefruit. 100% Albarino, 100% 2016, 95% Jack Ranch, 5% Derby Vyd.

By the way, there are around 800 known species of true acacia. The Acacia used in barrels is not one of them. We just liked the name.

93 Pts. Purely Domestic Wine Report, Sept 2017

91 Pts. International Wine Review, Sept 2017

This simple 50/50 blend wholly from Adelaida belies the three vineyard and multiple cooperage complexity in this wine. Derived from two super aromatic sundrenched blocks, plus a later ripening more shaded block. Which gives it a lighter fresher more approachable side. In time expect stone fruit flavors to dominate, such as nectarines and peaches, while clean citrus characters shine through on the finish.

91 Pts. Wine Enthusiast

90 Pts. Purely Domestic Wine Report. Sept 2017

Less than 10 Bottles remaining!  (Bonus find as others in email seem to have sold out)

One for the ecologically minded foodies, AKA “eco-gluttons”. Now that's an interesting new term for us but really quite fits this enticing offering. Our hedonistic style makes the consummate food wine and strangely satisfies even the most fervent cult Zin head. Everything you would expect: organic/sustainable credentials, dry-grown hilltop vineyards, opulent jammy fruit, toasty oak, underlying black & white pepper. A wine for multiple feasts/occasions and not just for your, undoubtedly lovely, “paleo-vegan” best buds.