VARIETAL & VINEYARD: This Southern Rhône-style wine is 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre from our creekside vineyard planted in 1998. The primary component of this blend comes from a 2.9 acre block, planted to three clonal selections of Grenache Noir. We obtained the bud-wood from Tablas Creek and Alban Vineyards. These clonal selections, selected from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, give darker color and better structure than the majority of Grenache planted in California. The Syrah used in this blend comes from Northern Rhône clones (174, 877) while the Mourvedre comes from three rows planted alongside our Grenache. Our vines are planted on low-vigor rootstock to 4’x 6’ spacing.
VINTAGE/HARVEST: Dry weather during the spring resulted in smaller than normal berries. We had moderate weather throughout the growing season other than a slight heat spike in September. This allowed us to wait until the grapes were very ripe, or as the French would say, surmaturite, which is when Grenache develops its most interesting flavors. We harvested the grapes at an average of 26.5 to 27-degree brix October 6th through October 13th. We normally drop 50 to 60% of the crop, limiting the yield to 6 pounds per vine. This concentrates flavors and helps to achieve full ripeness, without sacrificing acidity.
VINIFICATION: Upon crushing into small, open-top tanks, we drain a portion of the juice (10 to 15%), a method commonly used in the Rhône called saignée, to intensify color and structure. After a five day cold-soak, the fermentation begins spontaneously with indigenous yeast. The open-top tanks allow us to work the must by punching down each tank twice daily. As is done in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, we blend Syrah and Mourvedre for color, body and complexity. Forty percent of this wine was fermented using whole clusters. Retaining the stems helped provide bright fruit and pepper aromas. We aged this wine in 620 gallon foudres, which are commonly used in the Rhône. These large barrels preserve the vineyard character by minimizing both oak extraction and oxidation. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered.
STYLE/DESCRIPTION: This 2007 might be our best Grenache yet. It has the structure of our cherished 2005 Grenache but it has more expressive fruit. As you would expect from a Chateauneuf du Pape, this 2007 Grenache has intense aromatics of raspberry, blackberry, tar, pepper, licorice, and dried herbs. Though more fruit forward than the 2005, this Grenache has the stuff to last at least five to seven years, but should really start showing well in two years. We really love making this wine. Mick
Harvested: 10/6/07 through 10/13/07 Blend: 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah
Total acidity: 5.35g/L Alcohol: 14.9%
pH: 3.65 Bottled: 12/6/08
Aging: 13 mos 620 gal foudres, 2 yr-old barrels Cases Produced: 1,205