Animal Magnetism 2023

AVA: Walla Walla Valley

Vineyards: Cockburn Vineyard

Varietal Percentages: 100% Mourvèdre

Alcohol: 15.1%

 

Production Notes: Clusters were destemmed to 1.5 ton, open-top fermenters with complete berry breakage to prevent any carbonic maceration. The must was inoculated with RP15 wine yeast. Punchdowns occurred three times per day. Pressing occurred at dryness. After 1 week settling in tank, the wine was racked to 500 L neutral French oak puncheons. The wine rested, unracked, for 18 months prior to bottling.

 

Winemaker’s Notes: Mourvèdre is a fascinating grape that deserves every bit of the ascendant star power it has been accumulating as a standalone, varietal wine. It is said that the Mourvèdre vine “likes its feet in the water and its face in the sun”. As such, this late-ripening grape is truly at home in the irrigated desert vineyards of Eastern Washington. While this variety can often skew towards animalistic notes of game meat and jerky, this particular example balances these characteristics with exotic spices and high-toned purple berries. While the inky purple color suggests a brooding monster of a wine, the vibrant acidity lends unbelievable freshness on the palate. This pronounced acidity makes for a great summer-time red and an ideal barbeque wine. The generous body and interminable finish allow it to stand up to the heartiest of winter stews.  

-Brent Roberts, Winemaker