2021 L. Preston

Lou began planting Rhone grapes in our corner of Dry Creek Valley in the late 70s, starting with Syrah and eventually moving on to the many others we have today. L. Preston commemorates these forward-thinking plantings, and is an homage to the great blended reds of the Southern Rhone. These days the wine is based on the juicy strawberry fruit, lushness and intensity of Grenache, the spice, earth and volume of Mourvedre, and the lifted aromatics, minerality and structure from Syrah. In smaller proportions, Carignane and Cinsaut add a firm anchor and intriguing herb-inflected fruit notes, respectively.
From vines averaging over 40 years in age, the 2021 vintage shows a perfumed and complex nose with dark berry, currant and black plum fruit, earthy notes of tar and leather, with a background of baking spice and cocoa powder. Fruit and spice arrive in equal parts on the palate, along with a delightful texture and mid-palate volume. A balanced but pronounced concentration leads to sweet tannins on the finish, an indication this wine can be enjoyed nowor later. -GH


32% Syrah, 31% Mourvedre, 29% Grenache, 8% Carignane
14.1% Alcohol
TA: 5.9 g/L
pH: 3.6
Aging: 10+ years from vintage
Cases produced: 882


Grapes are certified organic (CCOF) and our farming practices are Biodynamic. Fermentation is initiated spontaneously without the addition of commercial yeast or malolactic bacteria.
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