2021 Cruse Wine Co. Tannat Alder Sperings Mendocino

Tasting notes

The wine is a lovely, rich, ruby color with a youthful nose of graphite, plum, and crushed, fresh raspberries. The palate is rich and while still being refreshing with it’s rich tannins wrapped around a core of high acid. The finish is long. This will age well for many years.

Viticulture

This Tannat is from the impeccably farmed Alder Springs vineyard in the town of Laytonville in Mendocino County. This block is relatively young but planted at an elevation of 2,300 ft on a steep, southern slope of decomposed sandstone. The combination of elevation and distance from the coast creates a cool climate while still having enough hang time to fully ripen Tannat.

Vinification

In 2021, the fruit was picked on September 23rd and we chose to ferment in concrete. Fermentation occurred spontaneously after a few days and the grapes were pumped over and punched down for 14 days. Élevage was in used barriques. Malolactic proceeded naturally. The wine was racked once before bottling and was sulfured twice, once after primary and again prior to bottling. The wine has not been filtered or fined and has no additions with the exception of the small amount of sulfur used.

Cases: 8 barrels
pH: 3.82