- About This Wine
- Ratings & Reviews
- Tasting Notes
About This Wine
Ratings & Reviews
Tasting Notes
ABOUT THIS WINE
REVIEWS
TASTING NOTES
Richly evocative of its high-elevation origins, the 2020 Bonterra ‘The Butler’ Red is a masterfully crafted expression of Rhône varietals, shaped by the rugged beauty of Mendocino’s Butler Ranch. This biodynamically farmed blend, led by 63% Syrah and supported by Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, and a delicate touch of Viognier, is a testament to both terroir and meticulous winemaking. In the glass, it unfurls an intricate bouquet of black currant, macerated plums, and cracked black pepper, with an earthy undertone of wild mushrooms, oregano, and bay leaf. Smoke-kissed aromatics rise from the rim, evoking the whisper of singed rosemary and charred embers, hinting at the wine’s depth and complexity.
On the palate, ‘The Butler’ is a force to be reckoned with—broad-shouldered yet impeccably balanced, its rich core of dark cherries, wild blackberries, and tar is framed by muscular but polished tannins. The interplay of fruit and savory notes is seamless, revealing a tapestry of cured meats, graphite, and garrigue that lingers through a long, peppery finish. French oak integration adds a whisper of vanilla and toasted spice, supporting the wine’s structure without overshadowing its purity of fruit.
Harvested by hand at peak ripeness, each varietal was vinified separately, with fermentation lasting 10 to 14 days in stainless steel tanks. Fourteen months of aging in 100% French oak, with a measured 12% new barrels, imparted a refined textural element, allowing the wine to maintain its vibrancy while developing additional layers of nuance. The 2020 vintage, shaped by a dry winter and a warm, accelerated growing season, yielded a crop of small, intensely concentrated berries. The result? A wine of stunning depth, its phenolic richness promising graceful evolution in bottle.
Butler Ranch’s dramatic elevation, soaring over 1,500 feet above the Russian River, provides a unique confluence of cool maritime breezes and the warmth of inland Mendocino. This interplay yields fruit with remarkable intensity, imbued with both the freshness of coastal influence and the power of sun-drenched mountain vineyards.
This is a wine built for cellaring, its tightly wound tannins and layered complexity suggesting optimal drinking from 2026 through 2036. Given time, ‘The Butler’ will unfurl further, revealing even greater dimension and refinement. For now, a decanter and an hour of air will allow its bold fruit and earthy spice to take center stage. Pair with slow-roasted lamb, wild mushroom risotto, or a pepper-crusted venison loin to unlock its full potential. A commanding yet elegant offering, this is a wine that speaks of place, precision, and patience—an uncompromising expression of both nature and craft.
Blend: Syrah 63%, Petite Sirah 18%, Mourvèdre 12%, Grenache 6%, & Viognier 1%
Alcohol: 14.6%
On the palate, ‘The Butler’ is a force to be reckoned with—broad-shouldered yet impeccably balanced, its rich core of dark cherries, wild blackberries, and tar is framed by muscular but polished tannins. The interplay of fruit and savory notes is seamless, revealing a tapestry of cured meats, graphite, and garrigue that lingers through a long, peppery finish. French oak integration adds a whisper of vanilla and toasted spice, supporting the wine’s structure without overshadowing its purity of fruit.
Harvested by hand at peak ripeness, each varietal was vinified separately, with fermentation lasting 10 to 14 days in stainless steel tanks. Fourteen months of aging in 100% French oak, with a measured 12% new barrels, imparted a refined textural element, allowing the wine to maintain its vibrancy while developing additional layers of nuance. The 2020 vintage, shaped by a dry winter and a warm, accelerated growing season, yielded a crop of small, intensely concentrated berries. The result? A wine of stunning depth, its phenolic richness promising graceful evolution in bottle.
Butler Ranch’s dramatic elevation, soaring over 1,500 feet above the Russian River, provides a unique confluence of cool maritime breezes and the warmth of inland Mendocino. This interplay yields fruit with remarkable intensity, imbued with both the freshness of coastal influence and the power of sun-drenched mountain vineyards.
This is a wine built for cellaring, its tightly wound tannins and layered complexity suggesting optimal drinking from 2026 through 2036. Given time, ‘The Butler’ will unfurl further, revealing even greater dimension and refinement. For now, a decanter and an hour of air will allow its bold fruit and earthy spice to take center stage. Pair with slow-roasted lamb, wild mushroom risotto, or a pepper-crusted venison loin to unlock its full potential. A commanding yet elegant offering, this is a wine that speaks of place, precision, and patience—an uncompromising expression of both nature and craft.
Blend: Syrah 63%, Petite Sirah 18%, Mourvèdre 12%, Grenache 6%, & Viognier 1%
Alcohol: 14.6%
95 POINTS - "Big, broad aromas of black fruit, black pepper and wood smoke give way to well-saturated black cherries, tar and singed rosemary flavors in this dramatic and concentrated wine made from Biodynamic grapes. Tightly knit tannins add great structure to the mouth-feel, setting the wine up for a long life. Made from 63% Syrah, 18% Petite Sirah, plus Mourvedre, Grenache and Viognier. Best from 2026-2036." - Wine Enthusiast
The 2020 vintage offers extraordinary finesse, power and intensity. Earthy notes of pepper, game and wild herbs underscore lovely blue fruit aromas on the nose. The muscular palate delivers spicy mixed berries and purple fruit, with charismatic slate-tinged tannins that support the wine throughout the clean, peppery blue fruit finish. The Butler will continue developing layers of character with an additional five to ten years of cellaring.