Grenache is the most important grape variety in the southern Rhone of France's Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine region. This Grenache is grown in the western foothills of the Ukiah Valley in Mendocino County. Shallow rocky soils and the excellent exposure of this vineyard consistently produce grapes that are intensely ripe. 20 months of barrel ageing in a combination of French Burgundy, and American and Eastern European oak barrels soften the wine and add complexity to the beautiful blackberry aromas and rich full flavors of black cherry and spice. This wine has smooth tannins and rich elegant finish.
This our 6th Grenache released under the Graziano label since the 2003 vintage which was released in 2005. Grenache is rapidly becoming an important variety in California. Mendocino County possesses some of the oldest plantings of Grenache in California. Grenache was planted in the McDowell Valley in the south eastern portion of Mendocino County was planted in 1913. Several theories exist about Grenaches’ origin. One is that it is from Spain’s Aragon region and was spread by crown of Aragon. Another is that like many old world varieties, Grenache was originally grown in the eastern Mediterranean and spread to Sardinia, Spain by the Phoenicians and other wine growing cultures.
100% of the grapes are grown in the Bacchus Vineyard in the Talmage district at the base of the foothills.
The grapes were harvested at 26 degrees brix September 19th 2016. The grapes were crushed into small stainless steel fermenters where the grapes were cold-soaked for several days before a 10 day fermentation, then racked into French Burgundy oak barrels. The wine went through a natural malo-lactic fermentation in barrels and aged for 36 months on its secondary sediments without racking. This wine was bottled on July 24th 2020.
This wine has produced a rich, complex wine with aromas of toast, berries and earth. On the palate, the wine opens with deep, bold flavors of raspberry, boysenberry, black plums and spice, which leads to layers of minerality with a finish of soft integrated tannins. Our very warm days and cool nights combine to deliver the deep flavors and complexity of a world class Grenache such as you would find in the best Chateauneuf-du-Pape from the Rhone Valley in southern France or a top rated Priorat from northern Spain.
FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS
Excellent with rustic foods such as beef stew or well aged chesses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Morbier or the traditional cassoulet, the local French casserole from the south of France which contains Haricot white beans, several types of pork and local vegetables such as tomatoes and onion which is cooked for many hours.
Harvest:
Hand-harvested September 19th 2016
Length/Type of Fermentation:
Crushed into open top fermenters with 3 days of cold soak, pumped over and punched down twice a day for 10 days.
Length/Type of Aging:
After a gentle pressing, the wine was barrel aged for 36 months in neutral French oak.
Date Wine Was Bottled: July 24th 2020
Varietal Composition: 100% Grenache
Alcohol: 15.7%
Total Acidity: 0.72 g/100ml
pH: 3.40
Residual Sugar: 0.2% (dry)
Case Production: 197
