2008 Sonoma County "Three Birds" Red Wine
78% Grenache
16% Mourvèdre
6% Syrah
It’s back! After a 4-year hiatus our homage to Châteauneuf-du-Pape returns to the lineup. While a “Sonoma County” designation, most of the fruit for this wine was sourced from new plantings at Rossi Ranch in Sonoma Valley, with budwood provided by Alban Vineyards. Aged in all neutral French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Medium ruby-garnet. Intoxicating aromas of cardamom, white pepper, tree bark, shoe polish, and cherries. Fascinating and complex! On the palate, medium-full to full bodied with Rhône-like flavors of kirsch, spice box, and sandalwood. Even some garrigue-like funk, in a good way! Finishes with plenty of cut and definition. This wine can be enjoyed now but should be at its best between 2011 and 2020. (MRO – 3/15/10)