Winemaker Notes
Blend: 87% Grenache, 13% Mataro
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Another Rhône-like release is the 2018 Plum Orchard, which is 87% Grenache and 13% Mataro brought up in a mix of barrels. Black raspberries, blackberries, peppery garrigue, orange blossom, and plenty of spice give way to a full-bodied Grenache with distinct minerality, terrific mid-palate depth, and a fresh, focused style that’s going to evolve for 10-12 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Plum Orchard is a blend of 87% Grenache and 13% Mataro made with about 50% whole cluster and aged in about 40% new French oak for 20 months. It's a wine of distinctive character and lift, grown on decomposed sandstone. Medium ruby-purple in the glass, it has lovely aromas of dried red berries, garrigue, saline and olive, with a medium-bodied palate that's spicy, layered, fresh, silky and long.
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.