2017 Grenache (micro lot)

32 months of aging to pure silky velvet strawberry jam. This small lot was kicking around in the cellar looking for a home and we happened to tasted it for another project and just knew that it needed to be bottled alone. If you've been following me for awhile you've probably had 1 or two wines from Joey Tamura's vineyard like the stunning "Handcrafted" Grenache. In this wine all of Grenache's rough edges have been aged out and smoothed into vivid expression of delicious fruit. We blended in just a hint of Grenaches natural companion Syrah to create a stunning wine you're going to find yourself revisiting.

The Tamura vineyard sits out in the southwest corner of the Lodi appellation on the edges of the great California delta. long before farming took root in the region and canals were cut to drain the delta, these fields were annual flood plains, repeatedly washed by the flowing waters.

Over time the remaining soil is deep beds of sandy loam, lean on nutrients and perfect for vigorous grape vines. Joey Tamura was very receptive to working with us and allowed us to progressively thin the vines with the first picking going into our sparkling production and the final picking dedicated to our more intense red wine production.

Our goal when bringing in the Grenache was to preserve as much of its delicate fruit aromas without coaxing out too much of the aggressive tannins that can overpower a balanced Grenache.

    In the cellar, we controlled temperature on the fermentation by keeping the bins in the cooled cellar and giving them two punch downs each day. To avoid excessive astringency we gently pressed off the fermented must just short of dry, keeping to more gentle press cycles.

    The resulting wine is elegant, beautiful and delicate, but not overly subtle. Softly garnet colored in the glass, aromas of floral strawberry, raspberry and gently lift hints of smoke and toast. On the palate, the wine expands into silky, yet firm tannins and lingering red fruit.