McPrice Myers 2021 Beautiful Earth Red

The McPrice Myers 2021 Beautiful Earth Red is a profound expression of Paso Robles' Westside vineyards, showcasing the elegance and power of a Rhône-style blend. This flagship wine combines 58% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre, with complementary notes from Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Graciano. The result is a wine of remarkable complexity, displaying the full depth and character of each varietal. Handcrafted with precision, the components were fermented in small open-top bins, concrete, and stainless steel tanks, incorporating 15% new oak and 10% whole clusters for added structure and nuance. The extended skin contact—spanning 20 to 35 days—allowed for optimal extraction of color, flavor, and tannins, while the wine was gently nurtured through a regimen of pump-overs and punch-downs.

The wine's aging program is as thoughtfully designed as its fermentation process, with 18 months spent in a combination of 265-liter once- and twice-filled French barriques, alongside 500-liter neutral oak puncheons. This careful maturation imparts subtle oak influence without overshadowing the fruit’s natural vibrancy. On the nose, the 2021 Beautiful Earth opens with an intoxicating bouquet of blackberries, ripe plum, and crushed violets, intermingling with hints of smoked meats, licorice, and cracked pepper. The palate is equally compelling, with velvety tannins that frame layers of dark fruit, earth, and savory herbs, culminating in a finish that is both long and deeply satisfying.

McPrice “Mac” Myers is known for crafting wines of great depth and balance, and the 2021 Beautiful Earth Red is a testament to his meticulous winemaking approach. The Syrah brings structure and dark fruit intensity, while the Grenache adds bright red fruit and spice, and the Mourvèdre contributes earthiness and backbone. The inclusion of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah adds complexity, enhancing the wine’s bold, yet refined, personality. This blend rivals the best of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, yet retains the distinct terroir of Paso Robles—underscored by a fresh, California sensibility.

With each sip, this wine transports you to the rugged beauty of Paso Robles’ rolling hills, where old-world tradition meets new-world innovation. It’s a bottle that promises to evolve beautifully over time, yet is immensely enjoyable now with grilled meats, hearty stews, or aged cheeses. The 2021 Beautiful Earth Red is more than a wine—it’s an experience, crafted with passion and precision by one of Paso’s finest winemakers.

Alcohol % 15.2

94 POINTS - "Hearty aromas of roasted and charred fruit meet with caramel, baking spice, and violet on the nose of this blend of 58% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 6% Zinfandel, 3% Petite Sirah and 3% Graciano. Warm maple and brown-sugar flavors show on the palate, where that dark roasted-fruit flavor picks up cappuccino spice." - Wine Enthusiast

93 POINTS - "It has a nose of baked plums, maraschino cherries, salami, mint chocolate and sage. The full-bodied palate is bursting with concentrated fruit. It has a supple, approachable frame, juicy acidity and a long, spicy finish. It deserves 2-3 years in bottle to unwind." - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

93 POINTS - "Spirited and gutsy, with fruit and personality, offering multilayered blackberry, raspberry, licorice and espresso flavors that finish with a smoky meat accent. Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Graciano. Drink now through 2031." - Wine Spectator

93 POINTS - "The 2021 Red Beautiful Earth stains the glass with its inky dark red and purple hues. This is savory and seductive on the nose, with rich brown spice and grilled herbs accentuating briary wild berries. Silky and seamless on the palate, this impresses with its undeniable elegance and refinement with crisp mineral-laced black fruits and spice. This leaves the palate stained in blue and purple liquid florals and dusty tannins, with a bit of a bitter twang that punctures the experience quite nicely." - Vinous