Winemaker Notes:
Following a three-year drought, the vines benefited from a long, wet winter. Late spring rain disrupted bloom, reducing yields, and cool, foggy days through summer slowed ripening. Harvested in the first two weeks of October, the fruit was destemmed, and fermented as whole berries on its natural yeasts. Uninoculated malolactic fermentation finished quickly, allowing an early assemblage. In blind tastings, four grenache parcels (two pure, two field blends) were combined with a young syrah. Together, these varietals have produced a classic wine with great dimension of fruit and structure. Extended barrel aging in air-dried american oak has softened tannins. This excellent vintage will be at its best over the next six to eight years. 14.7% abv