2021 Muchas Piedras (97 pts. Jeb Dunnuck)Grenache, Mourvèdre, Alicante Bouschet

The Vineyard: Beginning in 2014 Muchas Piedras, Spanish for
‘many rocks’ has been transformed from a scraggly, dying block
of Zinfandel to a modern version of the California field blend.
Head-trained Grenache dominates the insanely rocky 2-acre
plot with a few long rows of Mourvedre and a handful of
Alicante Bouschet vines scattered about for color and texture.

The Vintage: In many ways, the 2021 growing season felt
like a return to normalcy but drought conditions persisted. A
dry winter led to an early bud break that rolled into a
temperate, windy spring. A warm summer without any
notable heat spikes allowed a generally small crop to ripen
fairly slowly. While 2021 was one of our earliest harvests in
decades, the Muchas Piedras field blend was picked just a few
days earlier than average, allowing for full phenolic ripeness.

Tasting Notes: (as reviewed by Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnock): The
2021 Muchas Piedras is a stunner, with irresistible layers of
high-toned and floral aromatics of white pepper, gravelly earth,
wild raspberry, and lavender that continue to unfold in the
glass. Graceful and linear, this medium-bodied red floats across
the palate with fine tannins, ripe fruit, and an even spine of
acidity. It is phenomenal in its balance and offers a weightless
feel. It is drinking beautifully now but will undoubtedly have
another 6-8 years of exceptional drinking ahead of it.