2021 GMS, Red BlendSonoma Valley
Complex and aromatic, this inaugural bottling of the 2021 Saxon Brown GMS bursts with lush, high-toned red berry and blueberry notes courtesy of the Grenache, savory charcuterie and garrigue accents from the Syrah and from the Mouvedre, a mouthfilling richness and texture that melds the expressive parts into the sumptuous whole. Hints of black olive and spice linger on the long, polished finish.
Vineyard: This first ever Saxon Brown GMS is the culmination of many years of begging famed viticulturist Phil Coturri for access to his prized, Rhone style field blend vineyard in Sonoma Valley. The less than two acre, organically farmed plot is planted to a mix of the Rhone varietals Grenache, Mouvedre (or as I always heard it called while growing up, Matero, a colloquial name given by the Italian growers for the “secret weapon” in their field blends) and Syrah. In recent years, wines made from this classic field blend have been popularly known as GSM a reference to the order of its varietal composition. Ours, like many premium Rhone producers, has more Mouvedre than Syrah, hence GMS. This initial offering, from the gloriously mild 2021 growing season is worthy of my wait, offering an incomparably quaffable blend of bright fruit, savory accents and sumptuous richness.
Winemaking: Grapes for our 2021 GMS were picked in the early morning hours and transported immediately to the winery. Given the late ripening, and good stem lignification, we reserved 15% whole berry, which together with the destemmed fruit was sent to small open-top tanks for cold soak at 45F. After three days, the must was allowed to warm and begin natural yeast fermentation with thrice daily punch downs. When primary fermentation was complete, the wine was pressed to new French oak barrels for 17 months, where it completed malolactic fermentation and settled. Once ready, the wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered
Tech Info:
Suggested Retail: $??
Case Production: 93
Harvest Date: October 6, 2021
Brix at harvest: 23.3
Blend: Grenache, Mouvedre, Syrah
Aging: 17months, 50% new French oak
Bottled: March 10, 2023
TA: 0.61
pH: 3.17
Alc: 13.9%