2011 Russian River Valley "Two Acres" Red Wine
98% Mourvèdre
2% Syrah
Unfortunately, the Petite Sirah, Peloursin, Carignane, and Alicante Bouschet failed to fully ripen in this record cool vintage. Even the Syrah struggled and had to be spot picked. But the tough-as-nails Mourvèdre survived unscathed and was picked at a respectable 23.8 Brix, enough sugar to produce approximately 14.2% potential alcohol. But something funny happened on the way to becoming wine. Apparently, the indigenous yeasts decided to shunt available carbon down other pathways (yeasts have over 300 metabolic processes, fermentation being just one of them). The result was 12.8% alcohol and the lowest sugar to alcohol conversion we’ve experienced. Same great taste, just less filling! Kind of makes me wish yeasts did this all the time. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Medium to medium-dark ruby. Exotic, perfumed aromas of cherry, forest floor, blood orange, and black licorice. On the palate, a subtle smokiness (not from oak, this wine saw no new oak) with flavors of game, cherry, and spice persisting through the mineral-laden finish. Really broadens with aeration. Comes across as much fuller bodied than 12.8%. Terrific with mesquite-grilled, citrus-marinated chicken recently but for optimum pleasure, I’d suggest holding off until 2016 and then enjoying through 2024. (MRO – 07/18/13)