2022 Benom Origin

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 18 months in 85% new French oak, the 2022 Origin reveals darker berries, currants, spicy wood, and chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured, and pure, with ripe tannins, outstanding balance, and a great finish, this serious, balanced, age-worthy wine will have two decades of longevity. Drink 2025-2045. I always love these wines from the Fabre brothers Arnaud and Guillaume. Their Benom releases pull primarily from Paso Robles (Willow Creek and Adelaida) with additional fruit from the San Luis Obispo Coast and Edna Valley. The lineup includes one white, Contrast, a Chardonnay-based blend with a splash of Sauvignon Blanc raised in a mix of neutral and new French oak and concrete, and a range of reds: Origin is pure Cabernet Sauvignon, Les Deux Frères is Grenache-driven with Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of Syrah, Lapsus is close to an even split of Graciano, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Mourvèdre, Muze is Mourvèdre dominant with Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, Hoc is led by Carignan with Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, and Reflet is nearly an even split of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Most spend about 18 months in French oak with varying percentages of new wood, and components for some wines see neutral oak or concrete. The wines are impeccably made and age-worthy.

The 2022 Origin is distinctly red-fruited, mixing strawberry and raspberry tones as a whiff of clove and balsamic spice comes forward in the glass. It is soothingly round, with nearly creamy textures and ripe red and black fruits energized by vibrant acidity. Violet and lavender tones emerge through the long, gently tannic finish as nuances of bitter blackcurrant and bell pepper taper off.