Nose

Aromas of black fruits, roasted meats, dried tobacco and sage give way to a chewy, long mouthfeel, layered with black cherry, black licorice, graphite, vanilla and a dark chocolate texture.

Palate

Seriously sophisticated and rich in all the right places, the 2016 Estate Blend is one to enjoy in its youth but also to lay down for quite some time.

The brilliant acidity sends the wine singing high throughout its full and structured palate. Its fresh and refined youthfulness heralds the gifts this wine will deliver with several years in bottle.

Growing Conditions

Parentage: 64% Paderewski and 36% Catapult Vineyards

Stomping Grounds: Limestone and shale-studded hillsides of all exposures

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

Catapult Vineyard:

Directly in the heart of the Paso Robles’ Templeton Gap, near the acclaimed L’Aventure and Booker Vineyards, sits our Catapult Vineyard. In 2008 we came across 45 barren acres of extreme rocky soils packed with silicious shale and little limestone content. Just the type of soils we love; soils that encourage the vines to struggle while finding nourishment deep within the ground. The reward of this hardworking vine are berries packed with wicked complexity and intense flavors.

Though barely three miles from our Paderewski Vineyard, the pH level at Catapult Vineyard is in the high 5’s. A nice complement to the dirt over at “Rewski”. This pH difference, coupled with the cooler mesoclimate at Catapult allows for different flavor profiles from the fruit produced.

Planted: 2008 Acreage: 28 under vine, 45 total Soils: shale, clay, silt, rocky pH: high 5s AVA: Paso Robles District: Willow Creek Red Varietals: Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Tempranillo White Varietals: Grenache Blanc,Roussane, and Viognier

Bottling

Graduation: Bottled May 23, 2018 | Debut: Released Spring 2019

Winemaking

Rearing: Fermented in concrete, oak, stainless steel and one-ton bins

Aging

Aged 17 months: French oak barrels and puncheons (36% new)