2012 Grenache, Sonoma Valley 750ml

In 2010, we declared that it was the last year we would make Pinot Noir under the Inspiration Vineyards brand. Many of you questioned this decision and at the time, we revealed little about what would take Pinot Noir’s place at the table.

Introducing our newest offering, Grenache from the Ceja Vineyard in Sonoma Valley. This wine was produced using very traditional methods of foot stomping and carbonic maceration. Low in alcohol and color, it almost appears to be a Rosé and yet it’s delicate, medium bodied full of strawberry and cream notes. Grenache complements our other Rhône wines and we’re excited to finally be producing it.

2012 Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, Old Vines/Estate 750ml

From our “Front Yard” 100+ year old vines, I can always pick this wine out blind because of its distinctive nose of bay and cardamom. We had excellent growing conditions in 2012 allowing the vines to produce a record crop, and yet due to dry farming (no irrigation) the concentrated flavors of bay, cardamom, white pepper, black cherry and black berry are still present with nicely balanced acidity and LOW alcohol. This wine has also been minimally handled and is UNFILTERED.

2011 Syrah, Dry Creek Valley 750ml

Syrah has always been a special wine for us because it represents the Rhône Valley, a place in France we are very fond of. Made in the tradition of a Côte Rôtie, the addition of Viognier brings out wonderful color and aromas in this wine. However, unlike its Rhône counterpart, long and warm growing seasons contribute to riper fruit that creates a wine with higher alcohol. Don’t be alarmed by the label however, after going to print, we retested the wine and our final blend dropped .5%.

Full bodied, balanced with solid acidity thanks to the Viognier addition, great acidity, you find this wine will age nicely over the next 6 to 8 years. If serving during this first year after release, we recommend decanting in order to get some air into the wine to allow it to open up. The nose is tight with notes of cedar, blackberry and mocha. On the palate you’ll find blackberries, cedar, and coffee.

2012 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley 750ml

I’ve been friends with grape grower Brian Gallaway, almost as long as I’ve lived in Sonoma County. Brian’s ranch is located just outside the town of Healdsburg on West Dry Creek Road; the grapes are grown on an eastern facing hillside vineyard along the western slope of the Dry Creek Valley, producing a distinctive wine rich with warm berry flavors.

Our second release from the Gallaway vineyard, Brian’s Zinfandel is medium bodied and full of juicy red raspberry and black pepper flavors along with balanced acidity. Once again, we’re making Zinfandel picked fully mature that produces a wine LOW in alcohol.