The Barbarous Heart GSM

The 2021 The Barbarous Heart checks in as 42% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 28% Mourvèdre that spent 18 months in neutral 500-liter puncheons and concrete eggs. It's deeper hued compared to the Grenache release and offers a gorgeous nose of ripe blackberries, ground pepper, candied violets, and crushed stone. It's rich, medium to full-bodied, has a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, and beautiful tannins. It's another remarkable effort from winemaker Chris Peterson that offers pleasure today yet will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and shine over the following decade.

- Jeb Dunnuck

The 2021 Barbarous Heart sports a lovely medium to dark ruby-purple core with a fluorescent purple rim and is a mélange of 42% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 28% Mourvèdre. Another stunning wine by winemaker Chris Peterson, who is quickly becoming one of my favorites in Washington State. It’s a full-bodied blend that, in a blind, you would call old-world Southern Rhone. Displaying phenomenal notes of crushed strawberries, black pepper, dried herbs, and crushed clove, it also gifts shades of sliced black olives and roasted meat, which takes up second chair. Tannins are integrated but wonderfully present alongside the perfect acidity levels and lengthy finish. 182 cases made. Highly recommended.

- Jeremy Young, International Wine Report

The 2021 GSM The Barbarous Heart WeatherEye Vineyard grumbles up from the glass with a burst of stone dust and dried flowers that slowly evolves to reveal exotic spices and medicinal blackberry. This is surprisingly juicy and energetic within, blending crisp wild berry fruits and mineral tones with zesty acidity under an air of violet inner florals. Salted licorice, tangerine and rosemary notes linger as the 2021 leaves grippy tannins. The mouth waters through the long and structured finale. What a treat. The Barbarous Heart is a blend of 42% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 28% Mourvèdre refined for eighteen months in a combination of neutral 500L puncheon and concrete egg.

- Eric Guido, Vinous

This is a new name for the winery’s GSM, with this vintage comprised of 42% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 28% Mourvèdre. It’s aromatically expressive, with notes of huckleberry, plum, kirsch, dried herb, black and white pepper, violet, and wet rock, along with whiffs of smoked meat. Dense, opulent, full-bodied flavors follow, redolent with blue fruit flavors and speckled with spice accents. It’s got a big Yum Factor.

- Sean Sullivan, Northwest Wine Report

The aromatic equivalent of a bowl of black cherries is accented by notes of loamy soil, roasted Hatch peppers and brick dust. Blackberry jam and lemon flavors are ably supported by velvety tannins and acidity high enough to take on regenerative powers. Enjoy this wine with a beef and biscuit stew.

- Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast