Winemaker's Notes
2021 was a lovely vintage where we started with low-rainfall soil moisture, an early start and a drama-free end to the season. I was struck by how structured yet delicious this was when we offered it on futures two years ago. I am still impressed with its balance and allure about a year after bottling, years before it enters its long sweet spot.
This is remarkably similar to the 2022 vintage. And it is striking how there is a similar array of dark fruits and non-fruit elements yet there is a little more structural tension driving the train in 2021. It is a beautiful vintage with nerve and verve to age really well if you can keep your hands off the corkscrew. Freshly cut red beets from your garden, spicy rooibos tea are the initial, primary aromas. In the mouth there is an explosion of these flavors with the perfect balance of angles vs. rounds, fruit vs. non-fruits making for a very satisfying and hunger-inducing experience. It is made for food and will absolutely satisfy in this context from now until the cows’ grandchildren come home.
