Special Release: 2021 Rosé, Santa Ynez Valley
80% Grenache, 14% Mourvèdre, 6% Graciano
60% Vogelzang Vineyard, 40% Two Wolves Vineyard,
13.0% ABV
The Vintage
2021 was a relatively long, even, and generally cool year, which contrasts sharply from the dramatics of 2020. Winter was dry and cold, but rainfall was very low until an atmospheric river arrived in March and dumped 5 inches of rain in two days. This late season rain helped push budbreak back a bit and cleansed the soils. The Spring was generally cool and windy, extending flowering somewhat, but neither frost nor shatter were a problem. June was cool and foggy, while July turned warmer, mostly staying under 100F. August was relatively cool, with highs reaching 95 only at the very end of the month. Yields were on the high side for the Grenache, which, along with a mostly cool September (excluding Labor Day) and early October, pushed harvest back into mid-October. The long season gave gapes with plenty of flavor and good acidity at relatively low sugars.
The Wine
This Rosé is 80% Grenache, 14% Mourvedre and 6% Graciano. Vineyard sources include Vogelzang (60%) and Two Wolves (40%). The wine was fermented in 75% neutral barrels (228L, 400L, 500L) and 25% stainless steel. After complete dryness the wine was transferred to neutral oak barrels and aged for 5 months on the lees, before bottling.
The wine shows expressive bright red fruits, (strawberries & raspberries) along with watermelon and green apple jolly rancher, hints of citrus peel, with bright acidity with no sharp edges. The wine will pair beautifully with the warm spring and summer months, in the open air, with food, and without. Get some before it sells out!
Wines are available for pick up at the Los Olivos Tasting Room and can be shipped across the US.
