The 6th Floor’s Point Blank Review of Our Barrel Tasting
We were honestly a little speechless when Stephen from The 6th Floor published his Point Blank Review of a Sunday barrel tasting with Mike. He and his girlfriend booked online the day before, hoping for a Saturday but taking the Sunday slot, and arrived just before noon. Instead of a table and a menu, Mike walked them straight into the production warehouse to taste from the barrel.
What they tasted
They started with a Pinot Noir rosé, then worked through two barrels each of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, saving the bold, still-raw Syrah for last. The part Stephen enjoyed most was tasting our GSM from the barrel and then comparing it with the bottled 2023 and 2024 vintages to see how the blend changes over time. He describes it as his first time tasting barrel samples side by side with the bottled wine.
The review also covers our 2022 lineup, which Stephen notes earned Wine Enthusiast scores from 91 to 94 points. In his words, the Grenache charms you, the Syrah grabs you and the Mourvèdre makes you think, while the GSM brings all three together: Grenache for fruit, Syrah for structure and Mourvèdre to tie it all together.
The barrel tasting experience
Stephen writes about our West Side Paso Robles fruit, 14 to 18 months in 100% French oak, and the biltong we serve as a nod to Mike’s South African roots. He also explains the $80 per person barrel tasting, which includes a cellar tour, a guided barrel selection exercise and a full flight for vintage comparison. He also points out that the 2022 Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre were wine club exclusives.
His bottom line meant a great deal to us: If you love Rhône-style wines, this is a must. Highest recommendation.
(Stephen, The 6th Floor)
The 2022 GSM in the review has since moved on. If his notes have you curious, our current release is the 2024 Stiekema GSM.
Thank you, Stephen, for spending your Sunday with us.
