Eldarica 2023

AVA: Walla Walla Valley

Vineyards: Cockburn Vineyard

Varietal Percentages: 100% Grenache

Alcohol: 14.9%

 

Production Notes: Clusters were gently destemmed to 1.5 ton, open-top fermenters with minimal berry breakage to encourage a small amount of carbonic maceration. The fruit was gently food-tread to release just enough just to initiate fermentation before being inoculated with Enoferm Assmannshaussen wine yeast. Punchdowns occurred three times per day. The fruit was pressed before dryness to prevent extraction of any tannic bitterness. Fermentation concluded in 500 L neutral oak puncheons. The wine rested on its lees, unracked, for 18 months. A polishing filtration was performed.

 

Winemaker’s Notes: During my time working in the Walla Walla Valley, it was not unusual to hear winemakers in the area refer to their Grenache wines as “desert Pinot”. Though diverging in their preferred growing conditions, the temperate-loving Pinot Noir and the desert-loving Grenache varieties share many similarities: lightness of color, delicacy of texture, with expressive aromatics which can skew spicy, earthy, floral, or herbal depending on growing and winemaking conditions.

 

This particular Grenache wine hails from Cockburn Vineyard; a high elevation, temperate site located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains overlooking the Walla Walla Valley. I have worked with Grenache from Cockburn Vineyard since 2015, and the quality of the wines never ceases to amaze me. The high-toned, floral aromatics are always accented by a distinctive citrusy accent of grapefruit zest and blood orange. Occasionally, the slightest hint of dried dill finds its way into the aromatic profile. As the wine opens up, the full breadth of volume on the palate is revealed in an almost creamy midpalate texture. Though this wine has the stuffing to stand up to the cold winter months, it is just as much in its element served with a slight chill on the patio.