2009 Tempranillo

Intense aromas and flavors of brambly blackberry, dark blueberry and mission figs with layers of dark cocoa, fresh tobacco leaf and black pepper, and wisps of white floral and smoke. Refined structure with firm, smooth tannins and a long, lush finish full of chocolate, spice and fresh fig. The classic grape of the Rioja region of Spain, Tempranillo pairs perfectly with grilled and roasted meats, cured ham and cheeses. Delicious now, this wine will show best within eight years from vintage.

Rhinefarm Estate Vineyard; Estate grown, produced and bottled; Sustainably farmed; Huichica clay-loam topsoil with light stream gravel deposits; One 4.6-acre vineyard block of Tempranillo; Clones: UC Davis 2, Mauro, Riscal; Yield 4.0 tons/acre

Vinification: Harvested by hand in the cool morning hours;Yeast strain EC1118; Fermented 18 days with twice-daily, gentle pump-overs; Oak Regimen: 14 months in 50% French, 50% American oak (35% new)

The 2009 growing season lent itself well to producing some of our finest wines to date. Springtime was pleasantly warm and mild as flowering progressed, with only calm winds coming through the Petaluma gap. The heat of the spring and early summer was comfortably average as the vines developed a strong canopy. We progressed through summer and early fall with moderate weather that was both a winegrower and winemaker’s dream.

1,042 Cases.