Winemaker Notes
The 2017 vintage Madonne Estate Red displays a vast fruit presence of dark cherries, blackberries, and raspberries on the nose. It is also showing delicate oral notes, along with hints of cinnamon and cocoa powder. The palate showcases raspberry, lavender, and violet components with savory notes of pepper and baking spices on the long finish.
Pair with hearty braised short ribs, creamy mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables, or simply with blue cheese and your favorite charcuterie.
Blend: 71% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre, 5% Counoise
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Home to some of California’s most influential winemaking pioneers of the late 1800s, Paul Masson and Charles Lefranc, the Santa Clara Valley AVA hugs up against the southwestern border of today’s famous Silicon Valley and excels in the production of bold reds, as well as some whites.