Winemaker Notes
The Plum Orchard Vineyard is located in the Templeton Gap District and made up of sandy soils. It's a gorgeous wine with a silky texture, bright red fruit with a bit of white pepper and herbaceousness.
Blend: 90% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
Coming from the Templeton Gap region (decomposed sandstone), the 2017 Plum Orchard is based on 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre, 50% destemmed, brought up in 50% new 400-liter barrels. Ruby/plum-hued, it delivers a great bouquet of kirsch and black raspberry fruits intermixed with lots of spice, herbes de Provence, white pepper, and new leather. Full-bodied, beautifully pure, layered, and straight-up gorgeous, this elegant yet powerful Grenache does everything right. It actually reminds me of the Vieilles Vignes Cuvée from Clos Saint Jean in Châteauneuf du Pape.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pale to medium ruby, the 2017 Plum Orchard is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre. It was made with 50% whole cluster and aged 20 months in 50% new oak. It has enchantingly rustic aromas of strawberries, burnt orange peel, saline, leather, sour cherries and prosciutto. The palate is light to medium-bodied and intense but delicate, with its bright fruits laced with earth and bitters character, gently framed and mouthwatering on the long, nuanced finish.
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.
Pacific ocean breezes enter through the gap for which it is named. The Templeton Gap District is characterized by cooler days and nights and is made of broad alluvial terraces with vineyards at elevations of 700 to 1,800 feet.