Winemaker Notes
As you put your nose to the glass, vibrant fruit and elegant florals invite you in for the first taste. Cranberries and wild forest berries dominate the palate, accented by subtle white pepper, red currants, and raspberries. Lively acidity and fine tannins bring beautiful balance and texture that finish with mouthwatering juiciness. Plum Orchard is the lightest and freshest wine of this release, as it showcases the character of the decomposed sandstone soils of its terroir.
Blend: 74% Grenache, 26% Mataro
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Plum Orchard is composed of 74% Grenache and 26% Mataro grown on decomposed sandstone. It was vinified with stems and matured for 22 months in 50% new French oak. "We do more stem inclusion versus whole cluster," proprietor and winemaker Don Burns explains. "I destem everything, look for rot, see inside the clusters and hand pick my stems. Then I layer stems, whole berries, stems, whole berries." The nose is bursting with pure raspberry, pomegranate and blood orange perfume, plus nuances of charcuterie, autumn leaves and Angostura bitters. The medium-bodied palate is weightless, yet it's packed with complex layers of berry, spice and earth. It is reminiscent, to me, of the style of Château Rayas. It has a lacy frame of tannins, a focused spine of acidity and an elegant, layered finish.
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Vinous
The 2021 Plum Orchard is zesty with a remarkably pretty blend of sweet herbal tea, red plums and tangerine zest. Juicy upon entry, this Grenache/Mataro blend firms up quickly while maintaining an energetic persona. Tart red berry fruits are offset by a hint of sour citrus. It finishes long and staining, just gently tannic and pleasantly spicy.
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.