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2013 was a stellar vintage for Cass Winery & Vineyards. It is astonishing what a different season it was in 2013 compared to the two prior vintages. This was one of the earliest starts to harvest at Cass Winery, with our first pick being on the 20th of August. In October of 2012 the fruit was just starting to get picked... Due to this, the cellar was extremely busy with every tank full, pump-overs all day long, and the press operating on a daily schedule. Even with the controlled chaos of the cellar work, we could not help but stop and smell, well, to be cliché, the roses. Stepping in the cellar door one was overcome with the magnificent aromas produce by all this fermenting red and white wine at once. Floral fragrances, yeast, tangy acids, bright red fruits, and tropical guava are just some of the aromas and flavors that are exceptional in fermenting wine.

The fruit that came in was very mature but at lower sugars than one would expect. The wines are remarkably deep in both color and flavor, with good acids and substantial but ripe tannins. We are very excited to see this. We believe 2013 will produce wines that are true and very rich in varietal characteristics yet not over powered by the high “paso norm” alcohol levels. Also, with this early and splendid growing season we turned out some of our 2013 whites earlier than normal.

2013 Grenache, Paso Robles 750ml 2-Pack

Gold Medal - Orange County Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition
Best of Class - Central Coast Wine Competition

100% Grenache aged for 14 months in neutral French oak barrels, the 2013 vintage is intensely fragrant featuring aromas of freshly picked strawberry, wild red cherry and pomegranate jelly. Ground white pepper and dried rose petals further enhance the palate by exuding flavors of stewed raspberry tea, rhubarb sorbet and dried cranberry notes. Subtle tannins and soft acidity underscore the elegant finish delivering nuances of star anise, all-spice and crushed Lingdonberry. Enjoy now until 2018.

Winemaking: Grenache is a delicate variety, thus gently winemaking is needed to preserve the gorgeous fruit and velvet texture of the variety. After hand-picking in late September, the fruit was destemmed and fermented in small tanks, with regular pumpovers to aid extraction. In order to let the varietal fruit shine through, the wine was aged in neutral oak barrels with 100% being French oak. Following this mantra further, the wine was left unblended in order to let the Grenache speak as a pure, 100% varietal wine. Cass Vineyard The Cass Estate Vineyard, located southeast of the town of Paso Robles, exemplifies the quality of the Paso Robles region with its warm days, cool coastal breezes, and exceptional soils. Resting at 900 feet of elevation, the 160-acre vineyard is planted to 11 varieties on a large terrace above the HuerHuero River. Deposited over centuries, the diverse alluvial soils make for an expressive site that produces fruit of incredible quality.

2013 Mourvedre, Paso Robles 750ml 2-Pack

Gold Medal - Central Coast Wine Competition

A Cass cult favorite! Normally a blending grape, this single varietal wine was aged in 100% neutral French oak barrels. The nose initially displays bright red cherry, fresh cranberry and dragon fruit scents. MourvedreÕs unique varietal characteristics of caramel, forest floor and charcuterie highlight hints of fresh cut mint. On the palate, bright acidity pops open, in the true Mourvdre fashion. Complex flavors are showcased with notes of pomegranate, dried cranberries, whole white peppercorns and crushed geranium flowers.

Winemaking: After hand-picking in late September, the fruit was destemmed and fermented in small tanks, with regular pumpovers to aid extraction. In order to let the varietal fruit shine through, the wine was aged in neutral oak barrels with 100% being French oak. Following this mantra further, the wine was left unblended in order to let the Mourvdre speak as a pure, 100% varietal wine.