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2015
ZUIDEMA GRENACHE 2015
McGah VineyardRutherford, Napa Valley
Our latest release of Grenache is richly aromatic, with notes of cocoa, earth, black cherry, cranberry and fig newton. Bright, clean acidity drives the ripe plum and rich cherry pie flavors, while fresh spice and cedar linger on the palate. The wine is smooth, round, and medium to full bodied. Supple and juicy tannins are long lasting and nicely balanced with the mouthful of fruit. Our deep respect for the history of this grape variety, the unique character of our vineyard site, and the blend of old and new world winemaking is found in every vintage of Zuidema Grenache.
$42.00
- Winemaking
- Vineyard
- Harvest
- Reviews
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131 cases produced 15.1% alc by vol TA 6.0 g/L pH 3.67
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The grapes were hand harvested, de-stemmed and cold soaked for four days before the native yeast began to ferment the sugars. Our addition of more predictable yeast allowed us to maintain a slow and cool fermentation that lasted for 22 days. Pump overs were done three times daily until day 10 when only softer handed punch downs were used to mix the skins with the juice. Only free-run wine made its way to the combination of American and French oak barrels with a very small portion being new. The wine was aged in bottle for eight months before this release.
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The McGah Vineyard is located in the heart of the Napa Valley on the eastern side of Rutherford. The famous soils of Rutherford are rich in nutrient, rocky for great drainage, and part of a microclimate perfectly suited for growing red wine varieties.
Our one acre block of Grenache was planted in 2011 to clone 515 on St. George rootstock. The head-trained trellis method we use is a throwback style not seen often in Napa Valley, but has been used in the Rhone Valley and many other regions for decades. This practice will bring diversity to the flavor profile of the wine because the fruit zone is less consistent. The grape clusters hang in the shade and in full sun in both the morning and afternoon. The lack of perfect consistency is exactly what we are looking for to create the rustic complexity of our wines.
The 2016 growing season was near perfect. The wet winter that ended the two-year drought came to an end in March making for an early start to the farming program. Mild summer temperatures allowed the fruit to ripen and mature slowly and completely, giving us juicer berries and elegant acid notes. The wines are ever so slightly softer than previous vintages but are very rich and vibrant. Consuming the wines young will be exciting but patience to see them age for 6-8 years will be a treat for those who do so.
