67% OFF a Cellar Selection red?! A $75, small-production release from an up-and-coming project…for $25? Thinking is no longer required. Total NO-BRAINER!

When we first brought its sister wine out, “Parallax”, it went down as one of our most popular Paso reds ever. Trusty Ops like Jim Cleer and Stephen Beck showered it with praise and called it a “really great QPR”.

You know that’s true when our own Agents buy a wine by the caseload. I think we took maybe five cases home. Enough rambling though, let’s dig in!

“Caelesta Vineyard sits on steep hillsides at the end of the Templeton Gap’s cool wind tunnel, imbuing the Farrell family’s Rhône varieties with tremendous depth.” – Wine Enthusiast

Say less. But tell me so much more!

If you love those big, powerful, round, fruit-loaded Paso reds but also value complexity, and a strong tannic backbone this is a MUST have. Skip the fine print, head straight to the checkout, and lock it down.

When we tasted this, it delivered all the juicy, powerful Paso power we hoped for. And when we saw the pricing? Disbelief followed by instant jubilation.

We had never heard of Caelesta Vineyard. For good reason.

They’re new to the Paso Robles wine scene. They own a 200-acre property and planted vines on the high hillsides in 2017. The Templeton Gap AVA sits closest to the Pacific Ocean in Paso and is the coolest of the 11 AVAs.

And their property is rich with the famous Linne Calodo soils that offer a terrific minerality. That lends layers of elegance and restraint to the otherwise high-octane wines so often produced in the region.

Winemaker Brian Farrell Jr. deserves much of the credit here. He worked with some big-timers in the industry.

First was Pete Turrone, who’s behind the venerable My Favorite Neighbor and Harvey & Harriet wines. Then with Tony Biagi, whose resumé is too long to list – think CADE, Plumpjack, Clos du Val, Hourglass… He recently took the helm at To Kalon Vineyard Co. and earned his first 100 Point wine for Amici.

Brian had worked with Tony at Jada before that. He also put in time at Epoch and at Two Hands in Australia, learning the fine points of winemaking. In 2019 they released their first vintage and simply crushed it. So yea, legit as they come.

Dark and brooding from the first swirl, this combo of Tempranillo and Grenache works SO well together. With crushed blackberry and elderberry leading the way. Black pepper and a dusting of violet sit just underneath, giving it that savory, wild edge Tempranillo lovers chase. It’s “dark and earthy in all the best ways” with hints of “animal musk” as Vinous aptly describes.

The Grenache lends some lift and brightness to counter that inky, dark, muscular Tempranillo. Red currant peeks through on the palate alongside a streak of tart red berry. Bright acidity keeps it lively and never lets things get heavy. The tannins arrive with real grip, chewy and structured, built for the long haul.

A long, persistent finish closes things out, balanced rather than aggressive. It’s the kind of wine that rewards a second glass to catch everything it’s doing. Given the structure of this wine, I’m best enjoyed with grilled lamb, burgers or steak sandwiches with caramelized onions. Smoked brisket or ribs. A charcuterie board with cured chorizo, manchego, olives would do nicely. Even a wood-fired pizza with sausage or lamb sausage.

This kind of wine begs for some bold fare. Try Korean BBQ or Moroccan. Spanish/Basque: patatas bravas, chorizo al vino, txuleton (bone-in ribeye). Indian: tandoori lamb or a rich lamb rogan josh. Grilled halloumi or paneer with a pomegranate-molasses glaze. Roasted beet and aged goat cheese tart with walnuts. Charred cauliflower “steaks” with a chimichurri or romesco sauce…. ugh this is what happens when you skip breakfast and finish writing.

This will certainly circle the drain and sell out faster than usual. $75 SRP. $25 here. Perigee-nius pricing. Steak your claim!

92+ - Vinous - ”The 2020 Perigee is dark and earthy in all the best ways, with flowery underbrush and hints of animal musk accentuating crushed blackberries. Racy and sleek, it splashes across the palate with a contrasting blend of tart red berry fruits and sweet inner florals, all guided by brisk acidity. The Perigee finishes pleasantly chewy with dramatic length py tannins, all while maintaining fantastic balance. The 2020 is a blend of 87% Tempranillo and 13% Grenache. Drink 2026-2032.”

92 Points & Cellar Selection - Wine Enthusiast - ”Tempranillo is still finding its way a bit in California but shows much promise for ageworthy wines. This bottling offers elderberry, black pepper and packed flowers on the dark, dry nose, while the tightly wound palate shows hints of violet, more elderberry and ample spice. But the tannins are most impressive if foreboding. Drink 2024–2035.”