Dancing Crow Vineyards 2021 'Old Stake 1901' Field Blend, Kelsey Bench
Item Number: 18868
UPC: 0-040232339431
Country: USA
Region: California
Sub Region: Lake County
Appellation/AVA: Lake County
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vineyard Designation: Old Stake 1901 Vineyard
Vintage: 2021
Grape(s): 65% Zinfandel / 10% Cinsault / 8% Alicante Bouschet / 6% Syrah / 5% Tourgia Nacional / 2% Primitivo / 2% Cabernet Sauvignon / 2% Other
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Screw Cap
Alc by Vol(%): 14.5
Soil Type: Volcanic and alluvial loam
Elevation: 1475 feet
Terroir Notes: This wine consists entirely of fruit from Dancing Crow's Old Stake 1901 Vineyard in Lake County’s Kelsey Bench AVA. It is a field blend of more than 20 unique Old World, pre-Prohibition grape varieties, with many of the vines planted over 120 years ago. The vineyard is registered with the Historical Vineyard Society and recognized as being one of only a few 100+ year old field blend vineyards left in California.
Lake County’s Kelsey Bench AVA was originally a pyroclastic flow and is a transition between the volcanic Mayacamas Mountains to the west and the alluvial flood plain of Clear Lake to the east. The soils in the Old Stake 1901 vineyard reflect this transition, offering mildly rocky, red volcanic elements mixed with alluvial loams. The vineyard sits at 1,450 feet. This elevation, along with the cooling effects of the lake and the nearby mountains, create 50°F diurnal temperature swings, producing wine of excellent acidity, improved tannin structure and darker, more complex fruit characteristics.
Vintage Notes: The 2021 harvest in Lake County displayed excellent flavor intensity and outstanding overall quality, showcasing what could be a banner vintage for Dancing Crow's Old Stake 1901 Field Blend. The growing conditions early on in the Kelsey Bench AVA prompted a slightly earlier bud break, which led to a longer hang time for the fruit. While the overall tonnage in the Old Stake 1901 Vineyard was slightly decreased, the loosely-bunched clusters encouraged steady ripening, with the grapes demonstrating superbly balanced flavors and tannin profiles. These ancient vines have shown amazing ability to produce high quality fruit year after year and this vintage is no exception.
Winemaking Notes: The entirety of the 20+ different varieties of grapes are manually harvested together from the 7-acre, head pruned vineyard in a single nighttime picking session. The fruit is then transported to the winery where all of the assorted varieties are co-fermented together in a style similar to the traditional Old World field blends and then aged for 6 months in French oak. To finish, the wine is bottled unfiltered and unfined to retain the Old Stake’s characteristic freshness and unique aromatic qualities.
Tasting Notes: With a color dancing between red and deep purple, this opulent and vibrant glass of wine gives off aromas of wild iris, sandalwood and blueberry pie. The palate is enlivened by a steady, generous flow of brambly huckleberry and bright blackberry flavors. The midpalate is accented by a refreshing acidity that pleasantly escorts you to subtle spice notes of wild thyme, white pepper and lavender on the way to a lengthy and lingering smooth mocha finish.