Wyncroft 2022 'Shou' Bordeaux Blend, LePage Estate, Fennville

Item Number: 23106

UPC: None

Country: USA
Region: Michigan
Sub Region: Southern Michigan
Appellation/AVA: Fennville
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vineyard Designation: LePage Estate
Vintage: 2022
Grape(s): 38% Cabernet Sauvignon / 32% Cabernet Franc / 30% Merlot
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Viticulture: Practicing Organic
Soil Type: Allegan loam

Vineyard Notes: The LePage Estate vines were planted just three feet apart forcing fewer clusters on each vine. This allows the vine to ripen its fruit quickly and evenly. The soil is called Allegan loam and is a mixture of sand and clay particles with an abundance of composted forest residue. It is friable, fragrant and drains well. The subsoil is a layer of heavy clay with granite stones. Wyncroft does not water or fertilize their vines.

Winemaking Notes: The wine aged in 20% new Cadus medium-plus toast barrels with the remaining percentage being mostly in neutral Cadus and Vicard barrels. Aging lasts for 14 months. This conservative use of new oak allows the delicious fruit of this wine to be in the forefront.

Tasting Notes: The wine is elegant and voluptuous. The color is an almost opaque red-violet and accompanies an alluring nose of brown spice, blackberry, and black currant, while the high percentage of Merlot makes the palate rich and smooth, though youthful. The tannins are very fine leading to a long refreshing finish. Pair Wyncroft Shou with beef pot roast, grilled rack of lamb, or roasted eggplant.

Winemaker’s Notes: "This wine is my homage to the great wines of Bordeaux. My affection for these classical wines surely was influenced by the third red wine I had ever tasted, a 1966 Chateau Lascombes from Margaux. Unforgettable! As Southwest Michigan's climate is similar to Bordeaux during the growing season, one can expect a wine with some of the same classical characteristics. " - Jim Lester