New to the Chicago Wine Press tasting panel is Wrath Wines. We are always searching for new discoveries in our quest to share with our readers the finest wines produced in the world. Wrath is up there with some of the best new discoveries we have encountered. Each of the wines tasted possesses a distinct character from Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards close to the estates' location. Wrath also produces estate grown wines from San Saba Vineyard that consists of 72 acres, 67.75 acres of which are planted to grapes. The varietal mix is Chardonnay (30.44 acres), Pinot Noir (18.11 acres), Sauvignon Blanc (15.44 acres), Syrah (3.60 acres) and Falanghina (0.59 acres).

In the glass the color revealed bright ruby. There are bold aromas of candied cherry, baking spices, a hint of dried herbs, and tilled earth. The palate is more linear with classic straightforward SLH flavors of juicy stone fruit, toasted oak, round tannins and acidity that is precise. Delicate minerality helps balance the wine to a long and structured finish. The 2022 Wrath Cortada Alta Pinot Noir will require a few years of bottle aging to soften the tannins and display more elegance to this very well-made wine.

By Perry Miroballi