The exciting harvest of 2020 was a sporty one, with early replenishing rains and a long and even growing season. Picking began on September 12 at our estate Pick and Shovel Zinfandel block and adjacent hillside Petite Sirah block, moved into an 80 year old Carignane and Grenache field mid-month, and finished with Niemi Petite Sirah on September 30.
The individual lots were picked at full maturity, de-stemmed and gently transferred into fermenters with almost 100% whole berries. Musts soaked at a cool temperature for 4-7 days, at which point native yeast fermentation began. Post-fermentation maceration followed for approximately one week. The wine was aged in both French and American four-year-seasoned oak
(10% new) for 18 months, which included five months of native malolactic fermentation. The blend was assembled and bottled in July 2022.
Inky purple in color, our inaugural release of Soul of Mendocino is a sensational kickoff. With black plum and savory notes on the nose, the palate is warm and dense, with present tannins and acidity that conjure lovely old vines. The hallmark of a thoughtfully articulated blend like this is its versatility. This will be equally brilliant on a weekday night with the perfect BLT as it would be on a Saturday evening with a sophisticated mixed grill and roasted root vegetables.
