Winemaker Notes
The Heart Stone Vineyard is a small 7 acre vineyard planted on a gentle South slope of limestone and shale. With 8 different clones of Syrah, 4 of Grenache and 1 Mourvedre, we aim to produce a wine that is both compelling and complex. We typically co-ferment all the varieties together with a high proportion of whole clusters, producing a tannic and spicy wine that has great purity and complexity. We age this wine with very little new oak in mostly larger puncheons for 20-28 months. Our wines are never racked off their lees and are bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2011 Heartstone Vineyard is a blend of 58% Syrah, 37% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre that was brought up in mostly concrete, with 20% in puncheons. Fermented with 60% whole cluster, it’s gorgeously pure and perfumed, with energetic blackberry, violets, lavender, underbrush and pepper styled aromas and flavors that round into a full-bodied, seamless 2011 that finishes with ripe, yet firm tannin. Normally one of the most accessible early on, this 2011 will benefit from short-term cellaring and have a long life.
Range: 94-96 Points
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.
JIM130404_2011 Item# 130404