From The winemaker – Cool climate delights
At Chamisal, it’s almost like we have two harvests in one season. Most years, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are off the vine by early October, but varieties like Grenache and Syrah, make us wait until Halloween. These Rhône varieties originally evolved in France’s warmer climate now grow at our estate five miles from the coast and offer a distinct set of characteristics.
In 2021, a Labor Day Weekend heat wave helped the Rhône grapes along, and a mild October weather let us pick at exactly the right time. Our new 2021 Grenache has lovely black cherry and dried herb notes, with elegant layers of complexity. Where Paso Robles Grenache is often a bit “in-your-face,” ours is lifted, subtle and nuanced. Try it with duck confit and let us know what you think.
The 2021 Chamisal Syrah is also a labor of love. Our crew wrestles large oak puncheons upright, and takes off the heads (the top, flat end) so we can use them for fermenting – about 400-500 pounds of fruit in each. I love the way the oak tannins from the puncheon complement the ones in our Syrah. The finished wine shows wonderful black and blue fruit, kalamata olive, and wild game notes. Personally, this is what I reach for when I want to impress wine friends. It’s fantastic with lamb.
Last but not least, we have our Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands. The block we source from is planted with the Pisoni clone of Pinot Noir, which delivers great intensity and flavor. As fruit-forward as it is serious, this wine has great mid-palate weight and pretty floral notes. It will make friends wherever it goes.
Please enjoy!
-Brianne
