This wine is so sensual and pretty. A feminine and light side of Mourvédre, which can be a tough beast to tame. Varietally perfect with with cracked pepper and violets on the nose and an incredibly elegant palate. This is California, restrained.
From Cahto Ridge Top block at Alder Springs Vineyard. An east facing block at 2,300 feet in elevation on decomposed sandstone. The fruit was harvested on October 22nd, 2018, at 23.6 brix.
Made from 100% Mourvèdre that was completely destemmed and fermented using native yeast. Cap management consisted of twice daily punchdowns. Élevage was in neutral 500L puncheon and barrique for 17 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, which means vegan. 68 cases made.
2018 Filaments Mourvèdre
$34.00
Alder Springs Vineyard is in the town of Laytonville deep in the heart of Mendocino. How deep? Down the road from Hog Farm, America’s oldest hippie commune, deep. Stu Bewley farms the land and while he may be no hippie, he brings to the table a similar willingness to experiment along with a reverence for the land. You can see this experimentation in the many varieties planted besides our vines. Petite Arvine growing alongside Falanghina? You could really put together a helluva field blend. The vines benefit from regenerative farming techniques with luxuriant cover crops amidst a bucolic setting that is a nice break from the usual vineland monoculture. The ranch is 6,000 total acres but of this only 200 acres is grapes. Does this pose special challenges? Only if you consider the annual loss of crops due to bears coming through and eating them a challenge.
Learn more about Kevin and Erik here.