Nose
Our Hope Family Estate Grenache is strong powerful wine yet possesses an enticing elegance. On the nose, fruit flavors of cherries, raspberries and dried blueberries delight.
Palate
On the palate the mood depends with dark fruit flavors and more intense savory spices evolve with cardamom, black pepper and a touch of cinnamon. The wine finishes, fully coating your pallet with refined velvety tannins that linger.
Growing Conditions
The 2020 early growing season was near normal. Rainfall occurred mainly in early winter and early spring and seasonal totals were just below average. Vine growth and berry development was typical through spring. Summer brought unusual heatwaves which slowed berry development, keeping them small with a desirable skin to juice ratio. September was warm and dry, aiding in fruit maturity with ideal color and flavors.
Bottling
January 2022
Winemaking
Four Grenache clones were used in the 2020 blend: Tinta Clone 01 (Spain), Garnacha clone 814 (Spain), Alban clone (Rayas CDP France) and Tablas Creek Vineyard Selection (Beaucastel CDP France via Paso Robles). The grapes were handpicked and fermented separately by vineyard block in five-ton, open-top tanks. After daily pump-overs (for color and tannin extraction) for 10 days, the tanks were tasted and analyzed for their tannin and structure to determine the length of extended maceration.
Aging
These wines were held from 15-20 days on their skins before the being aged separately for 10 months in 100% once used French oak barrels. The wine was racked once during summer of 2021 to be blended and returned to 50% new and 50% once used French oak barrels. Just prior to bottling in January of 2022, the wine was racked for its second and final time.
Food Pairing
Pepperoni Pizza
