MAHA Estate

*Made with CCOF certified organic and DEMETER certified biodynamic grapes. This is the first time Syrah has been the lead character in Backlit. Our MAHA Syrah is showing great promise. Its rich, complex palate is like an everlasting gobstopper of aromas and flavors. It’s a unique medley of old world aromatics with a new world palate. Blended with the other varieties, you get a wine with unreal balance and umami. A sultry shade of oxblood entices you in to a stunning nose of black fruits, violets, cardamom and asphalt. A medley of macerated plums with tamari, kissed with a fresh Shiso leaf, create a palate of elegance and power. The finish is pure, taught and vibrant signaling that a few years of cellaring would be beneficial. In the near term, an aerating decant several hours prior to enjoying, should suffice. Drink 2024-2040

*Made with CCOF certified organic and DEMETER certified biodynamic grapes. This Understory reminds me of the great Grenache blends of Priorat. The western hills of Paso Robles and Priorat have a lot in common; their proximity to a large body of water (the Pacific and the Mediterranean), elevations ranging from 1000-2500 feet (305-760 meters), and unique soils (limestone in Paso and granite or llicorella in Priorat). Both regions produce some of the worlds most recognized wines. They are clearly global sweet spots for Grenache and Carignan. With 2020 Understory, a blend of roughly equal parts Grenache, Carignan, and Mourvèdre come together to create a beautiful, seamless, and textural wine. The hue is akin to Dorthy’s ruby red slippers, bright and shimmering. The aromatics are a melange of red fruits, wild herbs, fennel pollen, and toasted marshmallow. The palate is energetic and athletic, medium to full in body with a dollop of raspberry confiture. The fine tannins and texture create a striking finish. Absolutely delicious! Drink 2023- 2040

*made with CCOF certified organic and Demeter certified biodynamic grapes We continue to be intrigued with the potential that Clairette has here in west Paso. The 2021 Before Anyone Else has us very excited. A vintage with lower sugar at harvest has created a wine with stunning aromatics, great texture and just the right amount of mouth feel so that it grabs your FULL attention. Light straw in color transcends to a cornucopia of pineapple, stone fruit, brioche, and wet limestone on the nose. The palate is subtle upon first sip, then the fireworks begin (think a Guy Ritchie Film). The palate has you going in multiple directions, “is this Grand cru Burgundy or one of those unobtainable bangers from Sancerre”? Energetic yet rich with great length and salinity, this is ready to enjoy now but should cellar well for a decade. Drink 2023-2035

Our cellar experiments are always a great opportunity for creative exploration, often yielding game changing results. Among these experiments, we have played with variations on barrel ferments, whole clusters, aging in stainless steel, and extended barrel aging. 2018 gave us a generous Clairette crop, so we decided to “experiment” with aging a small amount for an additional 12 months in a neutral 500 liter barrel. As we tasted the wine over time, it continued to gain complexity, nuance, and texture, without loosing that core of fruit. It was evolving to be something very special. A vibrant gold ray of sunshine in the glass draws you in. Aromatics of candied ginger, lemon oil, stone fruits and baking spices transition to a full bodied, unctuous and savory beautiful beast sporting notes bitter almond, brown butter cookie, honey, and white flowers. The finish is pure and seamless, with a hint of reduction that takes it to the next level. This wine is truly orgasmic. It has been touted as one of California’s great white wines by many in the industry, and has inspired a handful of new Clairette Blanche plantings in Paso Robles. We are humbled by all the praise this wine has garnered and look forward to doing it again if yields allow. It is a rare opportunity to catch lightning in a bottle.