2019 Ambush
In Stock
Vineyards and Composition: 100% Fox Family Vineyard - 56% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 15% Petite Sirah, and 4% Zinfandel
Barrel Aging and Cooperage: Twenty-six months in four year old 500L French oak puncheon (T. Mercurey) and French oak barrels.
Winemaking: This is a top barrel selection blend from all of the red varieties planted at the Fox Family Vineyard (Grenache, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel). The vineyard is densely planted, organically grown and farmed entirely by hand in the hills of Los Olivos. The steep slopes and rocky/shale soils lead to very light yields in the 2.1-3.3 tons/acre range with extraordinary concentration and purity of fruit. My goal is to create an Estate Blend which demonstrates the best of which this vineyard has to offer. These grapes are hand harvested, hand sorted, partially destemmed without being crushed, leaving approximately 90% whole berries and 20% whole-cluster. The musts were cold-soaked for 4-6 days, with the addition of dry-ice, prior to inoculation and punched down by hand one to three times per day until fermentation was complete. The free run juice was drained off and the remaining must was basket pressed and settled before being racked to French oak Puncheon and barrels for aging. This wine was aged in barrel for an additional twenty-six months prior to being racked from barrel, blended and bottled in January of 2022. Antonio Galloni of Vinous, described this wine as, “racy and flamboyant to the core. Dark cherry, plum, leather, licorice and sweet spice are front and center. Time in the glass really brings out the Grenache red-toned fruit in this Grenache/Syrah-based blend.” 94 points
Production: 87 cases made
Bottle Aging: Ages beautifully for up to 7-8 years
Regular Price: $75 per bottle / Wine Club Price: $60 per bottle
