STiRM Cabernet Pfeffer 'El Gabilan' Cienega Valley, 2023, 750ml

Description

The 2023 El Gabilan Old Vine Cabernet Pfeffer from Stirm Wine Co. is sourced from the historic El Gabilan Vineyard in the Cienega Valley AVA, where old, dry-farmed vines rooted in limestone-rich soils produce one of California’s rarest and most distinctive wines. Cabernet Pfeffer—now understood to be the same as the southwestern French variety Mourtaou—is valued for its naturally peppery aromatics, bright acidity, and moderate tannic structure. The cool and extended 2023 growing season allowed for slow, even ripening, preserving the grape’s characteristic freshness while enhancing aromatic definition. The wine shows a translucent ruby color. The nose is highly expressive, offering red cherry, cranberry, and wild blackberry alongside pronounced notes of white pepper, dried sage, bay leaf, and subtle earthy undertones. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with lively acidity and fine-grained tannins, emphasizing energy and precision rather than weight. The finish is long, dry, and savory, with persistent spice and mineral tension that reinforce both varietal typicity and the distinctive character of the Cienega Valley.