Vineyard Notes: Gary Gonsalves farms about 100 acres of grapes in Contra Costa County, many of them 100+ year old plantings of intermixed Carignane, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Grenache & Alicante Bouschet, among others. Horse Ranch Vineyard lies within the city of Antioch, less than a mile from the famous Evangelho Vineyard & on the same dry sandy soil. It is a mixture of Mourvedre, Carignane & Alicante Bouschet planted around the turn of the 20th century.
Cellar Notes: We brought in 2.5 tons of this fruit & destemmed it to 2 open-top bins. The juice was left to ferment with native yeasts, which took approximately 17 days. The wine was pressed to tank, allowed to settle, then barreled to neutral oak on 10/1/19. It matured in oak with regular topping until it was bottled unfiltered in May 2021.
Tasting Notes: As is typical, the nose is intensely fruit-forward, with Goji berry, candied cherry, raspberry jam, & pomegranate, with hints of thyme & marjoram. Plump & mellow on the palate, the berries continue with a backing of bay leaf, cherry cola & licorice & moderate, smooth tannins.