2020 Lindquist Family Grenache

This wine is 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah from the Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard (aka Slide Hill), in the Edna Valley of the San Luis Obispo Coast. We planted these vines in 2005, so by 2020 they were really hitting their stride! The vineyard was Demeter Certified Biodynamic in 2009 and this wine is too.

2020 was a warmer than normal vintage with a crazy heat wave over Labor Day weekend. Luckily these grapes weren’t ready to harvest yet, so we kind of dodged a bullet with that heat wave.

The Grenache, all Tablas clone, was harvested on October 7th (about 2-3 weeks earlier than normal) at 23.2° brix, 3.55 pH and 6.5 acidity. I probably should have waited a little longer to pick, but that heat wave zapped a lot of the leaves and the grapes just seemed ready.

The Syrah component, a combination of Alban and Estrella River clones, was harvested on October 1st and 2nd at 24.5° brix, 3.62 pH and 7.0 acidity…this is the same Syrah that ended up going into our “Sonnie’s” bottling a few months later.

Both lots were fermented in small open top fermenters, with manual punchdowns. The Grenache was de-stemmed, and the Syrah was fermented with 50% whole clusters. The two lots were aged separately, the Grenache in neutral French oak, the Syrah in mostly new Ermitage French oak. It was blended about 2 weeks before bottling in April 2022 without fining, but given a light filtration.

This is classic cool climate Grenache, with that beautiful cherry red color and wild cherry aromas as well. It also has nice, cool climate spice notes. It is deliciously ready to drink now, but will certainly benefit from 2-3 years in the bottle.

Cheers,

Bob Lindquist August 2022

*90+ Antonio Galloni Vinous