The 2021 Del Barba Mataro was sourced from vines planted in the late 1920’s in the pure sand of Contra Costa County just over a mile from the California Delta.  The vineyard is the literal backyard of the Del Barba family patriarch, Fred.  He can still remember playing amongst the vines as a boy which were already renowned for the quality of their grapes.  We think Fred would be awfully proud of this Mataro where the lifted aromatics lean into a deceptively concentrated palate. The 2021 Del Barba Vineyard Mataro is bright, sculpted, and bristling with energy.  Crushed rock, mint, lavender, and dried flowers meld into a core of blue/purplish fruit.  This gorgeous, transparent Mataro is all nerve.  It will appeal most to readers who enjoy taut, focused reds.