Winemaker's Notes
The 2023 was about as ideal a growing season in the North Coast as one could ask for. We got a later start than in more recent years which put bloom time a little later in the spring when temperatures are more even and favorable for successful bloom in the vineyards. This also pushed harvest time back a few weeks when the possibility of heat spells right at harvest is much lower. This gives us more time to decide when to harvest, to actually get the work done in a timely manner, and it gives the plants ample time for great flavor development without pushing their physiology into overdrive. We can work with other situations for sure, and the wines are lovely. However, more sites and more producers can do well under these optimal conditions. The trend for 2023: Good flavors, bright acidity, good structural tannin profiles for the reds, etc. It’s hard to ask for more.
2023 Scherrer Vineyard ‘Shale Terrace’ Zinfandel Futures
This is a highly unique site on a small portion of our family vineyard where there is very little clay and lots of fractured shale. The roots penetrate very deeply in search of water and nutrients and find them in abundance early in the season which make the vines grow rapidly at that portion of the season. However, later in the season, the vines get the message that the supply is limited they change gears to slow down to make it through the season. Bottom line: There is a very different flavor profile with this fruit, unlike anything I have seen anywhere else. Since it is unusual and limited, it has become a sought after item. We make sure that some of this available to those interested in experiencing this lovely unicorn of a wine.
As usual, there is the herbal/fruity thing with stone fruit notes on the aroma. Textural and energetic (similar to ‘juciy’) flavors by mouth follow the nose closely. Those who love Shale Terrace will find this to be one of the most compelling examples of this unique expression of Zinfandel.
Due to some structural rebuilding in this 50-year-old vineyard block, the crop level was a bit shy of recent levels. The good news is that now this block is well-rebuilt and looking very good for 2024. We have honored peoples’ past support of this wine and give those that purchased Shale in the past (even just a bottle) ‘first crack’ and orders received by August 31 will be processed first in the order they are received while the futures allocation lasts. Those who have not bought Shale before may place an order which will be placed on the ‘wish list’. Those orders will be filled in the order they are received if there are futures still available after the first-crack August 31 deadline. And not to fear, we hold back a bit of the Shale from futures so we will have some available at release next April so those not in the ‘first-crack’ offering can have a few bottles. About 120 cases to be produced. Release price $42 /bottle. Futures price: $310 per case to be released April 2025
