Palate
A jaw-dropping beauty. A sensation of purity, balance and tremendous strength. The 2013 Block B is super muscular and jam-packed with structure, yet completely round and balanced on the palate. Although still just a bébé, this child is bred from some fine Syrah DNA and is already showing astounding integration. He shows no hard edges, yet is loaded with texture – density, viscosity, yes, and then some. Block B is a drink for the twilight hours and later into the eve.
Growing Conditions
Parentage: 100% Paderewski Vineyard
Stomping Grounds: One northeast-sloping white limestone hillside
Ethnicity: 100% Syrah, clone 174
Paderewski Vineyard:
Travel just west of Paso Robles, and you will find Paderewski Vineyard: 67 acres of undulating, steep, limestone rich hillsides within 570 rural, spring-fed acres. In the early 1900’s, this vineyard was cherished and farmed by world-renowned pianist, Polish diplomat, and vintner, Ignacy Jan Paderewski. Fast forward a century, and this property stood forgotten and fallow. Lucky for us, in 2004, we became the stewards of this amazing piece of property.
Planted: 2004 Acreage: 95 under vine, 570 total Soils: limestone, calcareous, rocky pH: low to mid 8 AVA: Paso Robles District: Willow Creek Red Varietals: Grenache, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Zinfandel White Varietals: Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, and Viognier
Bottling
Graduation: Bottled April 24, 2015 | Debut: Released Fall 2016
Winemaking
Rearing: Fermented ~48% whole cluster in stainless steel tank and oak tanks, ½-ton French oak puncheons, 1-ton bins and ½-ton clay amphora
Aging
Aged for 17 months in 49% new and 29% neutral French oak barrels and puncheons and 12% clay amphora
Food Pairing
Ideal Mate: No accompaniment is needed… but if you must, Wagyu rib eye, grilled rare
