Review: Area 5.1 "Equinox" 2015

by Gabe Saglie, Senior Editor, Travelzoo
published in the Santa Barbara News-Press on 3/16/17 

Kalyra’s outer space-inspired sister label, Area 5.1, has one of the most buzz-worthy tasting rooms in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone.  That’s where I met up with winemaker Martin Brown recently to taste through their blends.

They’re all blends here – unorthodox blends, mainly – with galactic-like names like Close Encounter (grenache blanc, albarino, rousanne, verdelho and loureiro) and Conspiracy Red (merlot, cabernet and syrah).

The Equinox really impressed – a 50-50 blend of chardonnay and riesling that delivers floral and citrus notes on the nose and tastes super refreshing.  The chard imparts a juicy, structured mouth feel that takes off with Riesling-inspired acidity and flavors of lychee.  This wine is easy to drink, so it’ll go quickly, especially if you share it while hanging by the pool, waiting for the shrimp-and-veggie skewers to come off the grill.

• Label: Area 5.1 Equinox
• Vintage: 2015
• Source: Santa Barbara County
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Price: $24

Find out more about Area 5.1 at  www.a51wines.com. 

I wrote about Area 5.1 in early 2014, shortly after the tasting room opened; read about it here.

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