A Paso Robles twist on the traditional Rhône blend, with Zinfandel playing the middle component. Controlled Chaos has undergone some changes in recent vintages. The addition of Counoise has helped drive fruit, while the percentage of the Mourvèdre component, always dominant, has increased. The Mourvèdre is also now always fermented with 50% whole bunches, which drives the savory, smoky, meaty aspects of the wine. The use of large format oak (450-500L barrels) has also kept the wine tighter, brighter and more linear.
Vinification
All lots were handpicked, and fruit was processed and manually sorted prior to cold soaking until fermentation was started, naturally and spontaneously, by wild yeasts. Mourvèdre was fermented with 50% whole bunches, while Grenache, Counoise, and Zinfandel were destemmed.
Ălevage
At the end of fermentation, lots were basket pressed, roughly settled for 24 hours, and then racked to barrel. All varieties were aged in 450 and 500L puncheons. The wine was racked and blended in the winter of 2021/22, then returned to the barrel until bottling in April of 2022, after 20 months of aging.
We are a family-owned and operated, authentic wine producer located in one of the worldâs most superb wine-growing regions and fueled by some of the most talented people. We believe in this place we call home and the handmade wines we have to share with you. We have come from other places and have varied backgrounds, and we are grateful to share this lovely part of California with those who are also drawn to Paso Robles.
We strive to make elegant wines with more nuances than sheer power. We utilize diverse varietals from exceptional Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, and Monterey vineyards. Our wines are made with minimal intervention and native ferments, and the fruit, acid, and tannins are balanced naturally. We embrace the growing seasonâs inconsistencies and harvestâs unpredictability rather than producing a standardized product. We are genuine in this pursuit and care about what is in every bottle. What you see is what you get; we are all here to show you around and to pour you a taste. Come for a visit.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Been members at Thacher for several years. Controlled Chaos is one of many fantastic bottles in their lineup. 100% must visit if you find your way to Paso.
Controlled Chaos is my theme for the year, so I appreciate that Thacher vineyards managed to bottle it. Natural cork had 1/8â of dark staining. Wine pours a pale burgundy, lighter than expected, slightly cloudy with a brick edge. Huge earthy nose, smells like damp forest and autumn leaves with a touch of lavender or violet. Behind the earth notes are a hint of both bright cherry pie and brooding dark cherries. Medium body with a tart entry, full mouthfeel, coating the tongue with cherry licorice and baking spice. Real lovely balance. My wife, whose palate seems to be diverging from mine, thinks it smells like raisins and violets, tastes thin and tart.
Opened a bottle of 2017 Peterson GSM to make a comparison (yes, I know a MZCG is a completely different blend than GSM but I donât have anything else that has Mourvedre in it. But more to the point, I wanted to open another bottle). The Peterson GSM is very dark Burgundy, bright, light and very clear. The nose is dark fruit and violets, the palate is youthful; big and full fruit with a hint of vanilla and cigar box, long clean finish of blackberries with a touch of tannin.
After some time to open and breathe, after a glass to compare, the Controlled Chaos comes across as a delightfully balanced, earthy, mature Pinot Noir. I donât mean to say that by mixing 4 disparate grapes you can attain the grace of Pinot Noir, but this wine somehow evokes the essence of the Pacific Northwest versions of the venerable vine. It tastes older than the Peterson GSM, and completely different.
I found it noteworthy how pale the wine is, yet somehow dark. It is like âopaque pinkâ, because it looks like it was once a fully saturated deep purple yet somehow faded over time. It reminds me of the Gersing Nebbiolo I had ages ago, where I was expecting deep pigmentation but they wine poured translucent and fragile. I would describe this wine as delicate, and the experience of drinking it is like a Monet landscape: more an impression of Venice than a map. Many thanks to Thacher for making a contemplative wine, to the Boys in Brown for delivering in time despite the weather delay, and WCC for pulling my name out of the hat. Salut!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2020 Thacher Controlled Chaos Red Blend - $100 = 33.32%
Regarding the mention of a 93 point vinous review, unless it is hiding somewhere they never reviewed the 2020 vintage of this wine. Other vintages, yes. A couple of 93 point scores, yes. This wine, no.
@kaolis yea, a bit suspect that itâs only vintage in CT that shows no bottles in cellars. Even 21s show up. Nowhere to be found on their website either
Is anyone else in the Kansas City area looking at this? Iâd love to split a case with someone. Iâve tasted at Thatcher before, and bought a couple bottles. They make some good wines, and Iâm in for this, especially at the case price.
2020 Thacher Controlled Chaos, Paso Robles
93 Points, Vinous
Tasting Notes
Vinification
Ălevage
Specs
Whatâs Included
2-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on the winery website, $720/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, Feb 6 - Monday, Feb 10
2020 Thacher Controlled Chaos Red Blend
2 bottles for $49.99 $25/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Awesome case price! Sounds right up my alley. Bring on the rats!
POPSOCKETS! SPROCKETS! DAVY CROCKETT! AWESOME!
Been members at Thacher for several years. Controlled Chaos is one of many fantastic bottles in their lineup. 100% must visit if you find your way to Paso.
Didnât need a rat. Looks delicious and is offered at a great price. In.
/giphy automatic-scandalous-candy
Controlled Chaos is my theme for the year, so I appreciate that Thacher vineyards managed to bottle it. Natural cork had 1/8â of dark staining. Wine pours a pale burgundy, lighter than expected, slightly cloudy with a brick edge. Huge earthy nose, smells like damp forest and autumn leaves with a touch of lavender or violet. Behind the earth notes are a hint of both bright cherry pie and brooding dark cherries. Medium body with a tart entry, full mouthfeel, coating the tongue with cherry licorice and baking spice. Real lovely balance. My wife, whose palate seems to be diverging from mine, thinks it smells like raisins and violets, tastes thin and tart.
Opened a bottle of 2017 Peterson GSM to make a comparison (yes, I know a MZCG is a completely different blend than GSM but I donât have anything else that has Mourvedre in it. But more to the point, I wanted to open another bottle). The Peterson GSM is very dark Burgundy, bright, light and very clear. The nose is dark fruit and violets, the palate is youthful; big and full fruit with a hint of vanilla and cigar box, long clean finish of blackberries with a touch of tannin.
After some time to open and breathe, after a glass to compare, the Controlled Chaos comes across as a delightfully balanced, earthy, mature Pinot Noir. I donât mean to say that by mixing 4 disparate grapes you can attain the grace of Pinot Noir, but this wine somehow evokes the essence of the Pacific Northwest versions of the venerable vine. It tastes older than the Peterson GSM, and completely different.
I found it noteworthy how pale the wine is, yet somehow dark. It is like âopaque pinkâ, because it looks like it was once a fully saturated deep purple yet somehow faded over time. It reminds me of the Gersing Nebbiolo I had ages ago, where I was expecting deep pigmentation but they wine poured translucent and fragile. I would describe this wine as delicate, and the experience of drinking it is like a Monet landscape: more an impression of Venice than a map. Many thanks to Thacher for making a contemplative wine, to the Boys in Brown for delivering in time despite the weather delay, and WCC for pulling my name out of the hat. Salut!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2020 Thacher Controlled Chaos Red Blend - $100 = 33.32%
Regarding the mention of a 93 point vinous review, unless it is hiding somewhere they never reviewed the 2020 vintage of this wine. Other vintages, yes. A couple of 93 point scores, yes. This wine, no.
fwiw
@kaolis
While not a review, I found THIS from Tablas Creek interesting regarding some history of Counoise, and how to pronounce it.
@kaolis yea, a bit suspect that itâs only vintage in CT that shows no bottles in cellars. Even 21s show up. Nowhere to be found on their website either
Truth be told, I got a case since it sounded wonderful AND my niece is attending Thacher school âŚ
Is anyone else in the Kansas City area looking at this? Iâd love to split a case with someone. Iâve tasted at Thatcher before, and bought a couple bottles. They make some good wines, and Iâm in for this, especially at the case price.