2015 Grenache - LaBarge Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills

LaBarge Vineyard is on the western end of Sta. Rita Hills AVA which is the coldest part of Santa Barbara County and not a place you would typically think of planting Grenache vineyards.  Grenache needs quite a bit of heat to ripen and this is accomplished at LaBarge Vineyard by planting this varietal in a little bowl on a south facing slope that captures all of the sunlight and heat possible and ripening  it perfectly.  During the growing season the crop load was decreased and water stress was induced to inhibit vigor thus producing fruit more indicative of much older vines.  The result is a wine with strikiing aromatics of high toned red fruits, kirsch,herbs and pepper leading to a silky yet powerful mouthfeel.