The deep blue-purple color of the Alicante Bouschet grape, juice and all, makes it a frequent contributor to old vine field blends with Zin and friends, but it is sometimes lacking in depth and finesse on its own…until now. In rare vintages like this one, it bursts with blueberry fruit flavors and a gentle kiss of creamy oak…a true wine geek’s delight!

Winemaker Notes:

Ripe blueberry fruit, lots of white pepper with a bit of black pepper. Massive mouthful of chewy tannins and very bright blueberry fruit. Slightly tart, long chewy finish—gimme a nice rib-eye!

Harvest Date:

October 20, 2018

Average TA/pH at Harvest:

0.50 gm/100ml pH 3.9

Fermentation Characteristics:

4-day cold soak, fermented in 0.8-ton bins Hand punched down twice/day 15 days total on skins

Cellar Storage/Aging:

2 years and 8 months in oak barrels-- 67% older French 33% older American

Varietal:

93% Alicante Bouschet, 5% Zin, 2% Petite Sirah

Appellation:

96% Bastoni Vineyard, Riebli Rd, Fountaingrove District, Sonoma Co.

Release Date:

November 1, 2021