2007 Calotte - Red Wine Blend

Tasting Notes: Our 2007 Calotte displays a rich garnet color in the glass. The nose is wonderfully fruity, but also complex, showing Grenache’s classic cherry and pepper notes, along with hints of steak and menthol. On the palate the wine is medium-bodied with soft tannins and very subtle oak notes. The Syrah adds notes o currant and blackberry to the mix, as well as a subtle mineral note that provides balance and complexity to the finish. Although the 2007 Calotte should evolve nicely over the next few years, it was designed to be delicious upon release.

Winemaker Comments: The 2007 Calotte is our inaugural release of this classic Rhone style red blend. This year’s bottling blends the spicy red fruits that are the hallmark of Grenache with the richer, more structured berry flavors of Syrah. The wine was barrel aged for 21 months in a combination of French and Hungarian oak barrels (approximately 40% new). We enjoy this medium-bodied, richly aromatic wine with pasta, pizza and lighter red meat dishes.

Cases Produced: 95

Vineyard Sources: 50% Bella Grace Vineyards (Syrah); 50% Tumbas Vineyards (Grenache)

Harvest Date: Syrah (October 4, 2007), Grenache (November 6, 2007).

Bottling Date: July 7, 2009

Release Date: August 27, 2009

Alcohol: 14.8%

Retail: $22.00/bottle (volume discounts apply)