2021 Lindquist Family Grenache
This wine is 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah from the Reeves Vineyard in the western edge of the Edna Valley. This is the first wine that we’ve labeled and released with the new San Luis Obispo Coast AVA. This AVA was approved in 2022 and includes most all of the cool coastal growing area of SLO County. The previously approved AVA’s of Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley are included in the new, larger AVA. This also helps distinguish it from the warmer Paso Robles AVA, which is also in San Luis Obispo County.
2021 was a relatively cool or “normal” vintage, with beautiful weather during the growing season and during Harvest. The Grenache and Syrah were both harvested on October 8th, with the Grenache at 24.8° brix and the Syrah at 23.2° brix. Both had excellent acidity and low pH.
The two varietals were fermented separately in small open top fermenters with manual punch down, no whole clusters were used. After fermentation and pressing, the Grenache was transferred directly to barrel to minimize any oxidation. The Syrah was collected in a tank and racked with air once before transferring to barrel. Both wines were aged in neutral French oak barrels for 22 months. The Grenache was kept on its lees without racking, while the Syrah was racked once after the first year.
Cool climate Grenache is quite different than most of the great Grenache wines of the world, which are normally grown in warm climates such as: Chateauneuf du Pape; Priorat; Barossa or even Paso Robles. This Grenache is grown in an area where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dominate and excel. The unique climate and geography of this part of the Central Coast allow Grenache to ripen fully, 4-6 weeks after Pinot Noir ripens!
This wine has a beautiful cherry red color with a hint of magenta from the Syrah. The aromas and flavors also show cherries, red fruits and spice. This wine is very drinkable already and will benefit from bottle age, but why wait!
Bob Lindquist – February 2024
