Appellation:McDowell Valley Vineyard:McDowell Valley
Varietal: Grenache Gris Clone: n/a Age: 75-90 years Elevation: 950 feet Soil: Gravelly loam Yield: <1 tons/acre
Harvested: Oct 2, 2006 Pressed: Oct 4, 2006 Blend: 100% Grenache Gris Fermentation: 100% barrel fermented
for primary & MLF
Barrel aging: 3.5 mos. in French oak barrels Bottled: Jan 25, 2007 Production: 131 cases Release date: Spring 2007
We treat our rosé with the same care as the other wines which means it makes no financial sense but after one taste, we think you’ll understand this is our labor of love. We de-stem, lightly crush and then soak on the skins for 36 hours at 55° F before pressing to barrel where both primary and secondary fermentation occur. In 2006, the wine went through primary fermentation sur-lie in neutral French oak barrels. Upon completion it was racked and returned to barrel. Because we like to bottle this in the early spring to retain its fresh fruit character we inoculated for malolactic fermentation which would not have begun on its own until late spring when the cellar warms from the low 50’s it maintains throughout winter.
With a vibrant hue this year’s rose nearly sparkles in the glass. This is a full bodied rosé that bursts with early summer fruit aromas intermingling with earth and mineral. It offers a textured yet crisp and zesty pallet and this wine truly pairs well with nearly everything and simply shouts summer all year long.
