2017 Grenache El Diablo Russian River Valley

Vineyard: Best known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the El Diablo Vineyard All planted by the esteemed Ulisis Valdez and farmed today by his family All is becoming increasingly well known for its Grenache. And with good reason. The site and its farming are particularly well suited to this fruit forward and spicy varietal. El Diablo Vineyard is perched at 500ft on the easternmost ridge of the Russian River Valley appellation, with its steep slopes overlooking the river less than one mile away. The site? unique Chateauneuf du Pape suitcase clone on produces small intensely flavored clusters, while clay loam soils and river moderated climate add depth and roundness to the fruit. n

Winemaking: The grapes for our 2017 El Diablo Grenache were picked under lights in the middle of the night so the fruit could be delivered cool to the winery in the early morning hours. Once in the winery, 80% was de-stemmed while 20% was whole cluster pressed into a small open-top fermenter for a four-day cold soak at 40F. The must was then allowed to warm, with naturally occurring, or ? wild”, yeast initiating fermentation. The wine fermented for 18 days with punchdown occurring three times daily. Once fermentation was complete, the wine was pressed to 20% new, 40% once used and 40% neutral French Oak for 18 months of aging. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Tasting Notes: A complete wine and lovely example of varietal, our 2017 El Diablo Vineyard Grenache exhibits an inky depth of flavor, lush mouthfeel and elegant tannic structure. The generous core of dark berry and black currant is accented by spicy notes of dried sage, black pepper, cinnamon and clove. An intriguing loamy-minerality emerges on the palate and lingers throughout the long, seamlessly integrated finish. Devilishly good.