Nose
inviting nose of bright raspberry, strawberry and Bing cherry fruit with hints of orange and spice.
Palate
On the palate, the wine is dry, yet round and juicy, with rich berry, cherry, citrus and mineral flavors framed by a light, savory, black pepper spiciness that extends into the refreshing, mineral-tinged finish.
Growing Conditions
In 2013, a warm, dry spring initiated early budbreak and consistent flowering of the vines, leading to an excellent grape set (the appearance of grape berries on the vine). Summer days were mildly warm, which prompted steady, even ripening and resulted in wines with excellent structure, flavor intensity and balance.
Winemaking
The Pinot Noir grapes for our 2013 Vin de Porche were hand-picked and night-harvested for freshness and fruit purity, then lightly pressed as whole clusters. Our Syrah grapes, also hand- and night-harvested, went through the saigneé process, in which free run juice is bled from the grape must (skins and pulp) before the skins impart too much color to the juice. Both lots were treated as white wines: cold-settled for 36 hours prior to fermentation and then cold-fermented at between 55o and 58o F. in a mix of stainless steel tanks, stainless steel barrels and neutral French oak barrels, with limited exposure to oxygen. These techniques preserved Vin de Porche’s vividly fruity aromas and smooth, bright flavors. The wine aged two months in 57% neutral oak barrels and 43% stainless steel barrels before being bottled early for freshness in January, 2014.
Aging
2 months in 57% neutral oak barrels & 43% stainless steel barrels
Food Pairing
seafood and chicken, barbecued meats, pasta salads, country ham and spicy Latin and Asian dishes
