Palate
In our game-changing 2016 Veracity, Mourvèdre outnumbers Grenache (51 to 36%) as this blend’s new leading lady. Time and time again, Mourvèdre adds elegance and gravitas to our beloved GSM, and it has finally tipped the scales. Ephemeral, smooth yet lively, the 2016 Veracity offers flavors of red raspberries, honeydew melon, rhubarb, grilled herbs, lavender, fennel, navel orange and forest dew. The wine’s texture, minerality and acid are beautifully in balance, creating a remarkable weight and energy on the palate.
Growing Conditions
Parentage: 78% Paderewski and 22% 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 24, 2018 | Debut: Released Spring 2019
Winemaking
Rearing: Fermented in concrete, oak, and stainless steel
Aging
Aged 17 months: 28% in concrete tulip and the balance in French oak barrels and puncheons (32% new)