Product Notes
This was my 11th vintage from the Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard, and the expression of Grenache that accompanies the altitude here continues to amaze me. At 3000 feet elevation, the soil is a combination of decomposed granite and clay loam, and reminds me greatly of what I imagine the moon to look like. The elevation brings a diurnal shift of up to 50’F, which allows for a rebalancing after often-soaring daytime temperatures. Kaolin Clay was sprayed on the Grenache clusters to minimise sun-damage (an effective natural sunscreen for grapes), whilst also aiding in slowing acid respiration.
Vineyard: Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard
AVA: Santa Barbara County
Variety: 100% Grenache
Harvested on September 20th, 2016 (moon in Taurus).
Native ferment, foot-tread daily for 12 days.
Pressed on day 14. 50% whole cluster., 11 month èlevage in french 220l barriques (9% new)
TASTING NOTES: Black Doris Plum, Tobacco and Cinammon.
Finishing pH 3.45 -- Alcohol: 14.5% abv.
Bottled August 23rd, 2018 (moon in Leo).
Production: 265 cases