The 2022 is a blend from three historic Mendocino ranches- some dry-farmed, old vine carignan from Bartolomei (Talmage) and McCutchen (Pine Mountain), plus a healthy dollop of rare Valdiguie from Lolonis (Redwood Valley). The exceptional fruit quality and small clusters characteristic of the vintage enticed us to do 75% whole cluster, with two tanks going through carbonic maceration. Further, we pressed the juice off the tannic skins early and "went to barrel sweet" to highlight the crunchy freshness of this wine. The result is chillable, medium weight red. That reminds us of Cote de Brouilly, but is unbashedly Californian.
Aroma: black plum, mulberry, wild sage
Flavor: bing cherry, violet, rosemary
Food Pairings: sausage pizza, pull pork sandwich, street tacos