34% Grenache, 33% Carignan, 33% Mourvèdre. Some friends who have had sneak peeks of this wine are calling it the best Understory to date. I have to agree, it is DELISH! Native yeast fermented with 20% whole clusters in concrete and stainless steel with a variety of pump overs and punch downs depending on desired extraction for 20 to 36 days. Basket pressed into a selection of French barriques and puncheons (15% new) then aged for 20 months. The nose is lively, displaying notes of wild berry tart with graham cracker crust, sweet thyme, orange peel, and dried cranberry. It transitions to an exquisite palate full of red fruits, wild cherries, white pepper, and cardamon. The finish is energetic and seamless and goes on forever…Do yourself a favor and double down on this one, your friends will thank you! Drink 2025-2040
"The 2021 Understory is composed of nearly equal parts of Grenache, Carignan, and Mourvèdre. Rocking levels of black raspberries, ground pepper, liquid violets, and some leather notes all emerge from the glass, and this beauty is medium to full-bodied and deep, rich, and layered on the palate, with no sensation of weight or heaviness."
98 pts - Jeb Dunnuck
"The 2021 Understory is a blend of 34% Grenache, 33% Carignan and 33% Mourvèdre vinified with 20% whole clusters and matured for 20 months in 15% new French oak. It has gregarious aromas of cassis and boysenberry, plus slowly blossoming, detailed nuances of tar, blood orange and cured meats. The medium-bodied palate offers Goldilocks ripeness, a finely chalky texture and bursts of fresh acidity that enlivens its perfumed fruit. Effortlessly balanced and youthfully latent, it will be long lived in bottle."
96 pts - The Wine Advocate
