Grey Wolf Cellars

With a name like this, you know it’s going to be a solid and seductive wine: one that grabs you and takes you on a sentimental journey fit for a couple that has found in each other the measure of foreverness. In keeping with the Wolf pack traditions, Joe Barton has created a brilliant Rhone blend that beautifully exemplifies Paso Robles at its most refined, and makes you want to toast your eternally beloved in fine style.

Soulmate is a brilliant mélange of Rhone varieties from an interesting blend of vineyards, including Melange du Rhone in the Templeton Bench, Longshot in Creston Hills, and Paradise Valley in Atascadero. The wine enjoyed 18 months in a French and American barrel program that was 80% new and 20% neutral.

This wine is terrific in every respect, from the totally attractive nose of rosehip tea, hazelnut and cranberry, plus a pleasant hint of sage. On the palate, the wine is totally smooth, soft and chewy, with flavors of rich pomegranate, cedar, spice, smoked ham and sweet smoked olives. There is a fantastic smoothness to this wine. What a great mouthfeel and amazing suppleness. I loved this wine the first time I encountered it, and I love it even more now. Joe Barton has created something very stylish, but so true to its roots: this wine is all velvety seduction with brilliant acidity and a moody little secret of raspberry chocolate fudge on the finish. It makes you slyly smile as you finish the last of the bottle, with or without your soulmate. Damn, this is sweet!

(Alc: 14.2%, Retail: $22)

Reviewed February 14, 2007 by Laura Ness.