Davis Family Vineyards 2019 'Cuvee Luke' (RMV), Alder Springs Vineyard, Mendocino

Item Number: 14881

UPC: 0-794504664300

Country: USA
Region: California
Sub Region: Mendocino
Appellation/AVA: Mendocino County
Estate Grown Wine: No
Vineyard Designation: Alder Springs Vineyard
Vintage: 2019
Grape(s): 48% Roussanne / 35% Marsanne / 17% Viognier
Type: Wine - White
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 13.4
Viticulture: Practicing Organic
Soil Type: Cortina series, a gravelly loam

2020 San Francisco International Wine Competition - GOLD MEDAL

Tasting Notes: This wine was inspired by traditions from the Rhône Valley, while embracing the terrior of the Russian River Valley. The three varieties come together seamlessly, expressing stone fruit and floral aromatics, balanced with a distinctive minerality.

Winemaking Notes: Once in the winery, both the Marsanne and the Viognier were whole cluster pressed. The Roussanne was picked at night and then destemmed and held as whole berries in a small closed top tank at 40°F for several days before pressing off the skins. Extended skin contact with the Roussanne adds a great textural component and a very special element of complexity. All varieties aged individually in 200-liter stainless steel barrels. All the ferments took off spontaneously with native yeast, then once the populations of yeast seemed healthy and steady, the temperature of the wine was taken down to 50°F to slowly go dry, working to preserve the precious aromatics. This wine did not go through malolactic fermentation. This blend is 48% Roussanne, 35% Marsanne and 17% Viognier, blended 30 days prior to bottling.

The New York Times did an excellent piece on how special Alder Springs is: read here.