fruit_source
Fenaughty Vineyard, which has been the source of really fine Syrah grapes for us since 1988, has also become a source of very promising Vermentino and Grenache Blanc grapes for us. 2012 is the second year these vines produced a crop, and from the way the wine is turning out, its clear they’re feeling at home, at 2800’ elevation, in the volcanic clay-loam soils, on Carson Ridge, in the Apple Hill distict in Placerville. Cool soils that make for relatively slow ripening, and seem to encourage the development of perfume are just right for these grapes.
Intro
2012 marked the sixth year of production for the wine we call Heart of Gold. It’s a single-vineyard blend of Vermentino and Grenache Blanc, and in each of the six years we’ve produced it, the relative proportions of the two varieties have been different. The story of this wine is an evolving one; it began as a happy accident, and the ongoing quest is to optimize the results. The way forward is not clear, and yet, for the most part, each year it seems to get a little nicer. In fact, 2012 may be the year of the Great Leap Forward!
Notes
Vermentino (52% of the blend) and Grenache Blanc (48%) harvested September 14th, whole-cluster pressed, and racked into stainless, fermented under 60 degrees Fahrenheit, dry at 21 days. Malolactic blocked with small SO2 addition, and lowering temperature. Racked clean end of January, 2013, and filtered and bottled February 19th.
Release_Date
March 1, 2013
Suggeste_ Retail
$20.00
Tasting_Notes
Pale-yellow with a trace of green. Very fresh, energetic floral and stony impressions in the smell, along with some white-fruit, ginger and saline notes. Balanced, with marvelous depth and length, yet almost so charming you might not even notice.
Total_Production
140 cases
