Old Vines
2021 Old Vine Family Cuvèe
Some of the oldest vineyards in the world thrive in the Mokelumne River AVA between Lodi and the Sacramento Delta. The Bechthold Vineyard is indeed the oldest Cinsaut planting in the world, struck on its own roots in 1882 and farmed organically. Nearby, the Royal Tee Vineyard was planted in 1889, comprising 82% Zinfandel, 8% Carignan and the remainder a mix of Flame Tokay, Black Prince, Mission and Muscat table grapes. The majority of this blend is Carignane from the “1900 Block” of Jessie’s Grove, which includes 10% of the almost extinct white grape Monbadon, also known as Berger. All of these vines are own-rooted, dry-farmed and certified heritage vineyards.
$40
-
The 2021 Vintage was extremely dry and ”cold, with frosts during the early growing season. The resulting harvest was very light, with less than half the crop expected on many vines. Harvested from early September (Zin) to early October (Carignan).
-
Moderately dark in color, this wine presents a complex nose with dark fruits, earth and hints of woodruff. The palate presents well-sculpted tannins supported by a good acid backbone that leads to a long, lingering finish echoing the fruits first found on the nose.
-
Mokelumne River, Lodi, 14.6% Alcohol by Volume, 316 cases produced, <.01 residual sugar, 3.7 pH, 6.5 g/L TA, winemaker is Greg La Follette.
-
91 Points
To say this wine is cool is an understatement. It’s extremely cool! Sourced from American ancient vineyards planted in California in the late 19th century and made from Carignan and an almost extinct French grape called Monbadon, this wine is a testament to our nascent wine culture. It’s bright and lively with a fruit-forward nose. The palate is plush with dense fruit notes and great acidity that leads to a lingering finish.
Keith Beavers, Vinepair.com - 2/26/24
3.5 out of 4 stars
This Rhône-style blend of cinsaut, zinfandel and carignan hails from the Mokelumne River AVA of Lodi. The zinfandel gives it a decidedly juicy American accent. The savory flavors and velvety texture call for hearty meals, such as a Thanksgiving dinner.
Dave McIntyre, The Washington Post - 10/26/23
2020 Bechthold Vineyard Cinsaut
Planted in 1886 by German immigrant, Joseph Spenker, the Bechthold Vineyard lies along the sandy banks of the Mokelumne River in Lodi California. It is dry-farmed with head trained vines and is believed to be the oldest producing Cinsaut vineyard in the world. Bechthold’s gnarly, twisting tree-like vines are a sight to behold.
$54
-
The 2020 vintage was dry and even-ripening, which suited this oldest Cinsaut vines in the world to a “T”. A brief warm spell in early September gave a warm, ripe feel to the grapes from this venerable vineyard.
-
Smoked meats, roasted venison and a musky, visceral, almost sensual aroma verily leap out of the glass to grab one’s attention. On the palate, the tannins are silky-smooth, belying the “all teeth and digestive tract” of the aromas with a gentle and savory-spice finish.
-
Bechthold Vineyard, Mokelumne RIver, 13.8% Alcohol by Volume, 77 cases produced, <.03 residual sugar, 3.6 pH, 6.0 g/L TA, winemaker is Greg La Follette.
2020 “Royal Tee Block” Zinfandel
This ancient vine Zinfandel hails from the 133 year-old iconic “Royal Tee Block '' at Jessie’s Grove Vineyard in the Mokelumne River area of Lodi California. Originally planted in the midst of 320 loamy, oak-studded acres by pioneer Joseph Spenker and named for his daughter Jessie, the property is now farmed by Greg Burns, Spenker’s great great grandson. Here, tradition holds; deep roots are venerated. Zinfandel with a field blend of Black Prince, Flame Tokay, and Mission grapes. The last jewels in the treasure chest are ancient Carignan vines. Each contributes a distinct element for the alchemy we strive for in this unique Zinfandel.
$48
-
The 2020 vintage was exceptionally dry, allowing for these ancient vines to mine for their water without the disease pressure that typically afflicts old-vine head-trained, spur pruned vines. The traditional table grapes, done in carbonic maceration style, lended acid and balance to the wine.
-
Ethereal spice aromas derive from this melange of Zinfandel, Carignan, Flame Tokay, Black Prince and Mission grapes. On the palate, you get pinot-like smoothness and flavors of layered plum, dark cherry and spicy pumpkin with just enough spice to remind you that this is still a Zinfandel.
-
Royal Tee Block of Jessie’s Grove Vineyard, 14.3% Alcohol by Volume, 77 cases produced, <.01 residual sugar, 3.58 pH, 5.8 g/L TA, winemaker is Greg La Follette.
2020 “1900 Block” Carignan
Carignan has long been known as an excellent blender in its native Rhone Valley in southern France. On the sandy floodplains of the Mokelumne River west of Lodi, these dry-farmed, own-rooted vines planted in 1900 by the Spenker family and still farmed by descendant Greg Burns of Jessie’s Grove. As with many old vineyards, the Carignan has a few scattered white grapes and other varietals interplanted. The rapidly disappearing but late 19th-century widely planted Monbadon white grape comprised 8% of the rows picked. Head-trained, spur pruned and own-rooted/dry-farmed.
$48
-
2020 was a trouble-free vintage along the edge of the Sacramento Delta, allowing for both the 90% Carignan and the 10% almost extinct white grape Monbadon to ripen to perfection. A tiny amount of Alicante Bouche and Flame Tokay were also picked into this ancient field blend.
-
A fruit-forward expression of dark cherry, plum fruits, fresh roasted coffee, wildflowers and a hint of “sauvage et animale” wildness. With forward tannins and plenty of structure, this wine will take its time to mature and evolve.
-
1900 Block of Jessie’s Grove Vineyard, 13.4% Alcohol by Volume, 55 cases produced, <.01 residual sugar, 3.5 pH, 6.2 g/L TA, winemaker is Greg La Follette.
2021 Old Vine Colombard
Colombard is an ancient varietal that is now rarely seen on wine labels. The fact that we have some of the oldest Colombard vines in the world, right here in the circa 1902 Betty Ann Vineyard (32%) and the 65 years young Wes Cameron Vineyard (68%) gives us the ability to explore this rare grape’s attributes. Crisp with stone fruit minerality and notes of green apple, honeysuckle and white peach. Over the last several years, Greg La Follette has worked with the Lystra family of Betty Ann Vineyard to revitalize these 120 year old heritage vines to produce amazing fruit for our bottling.
$28
-
After the disastrous fires of 2020 where we watched the hills above Santa Rosa in flames and wept, 2021 was blessedly calm with even ripening of “The Old Ladies”. Nurtured back to health by Clark and Bonnie Lystra after the vineyard had been abandoned, these venerable vines are seeing a new lease on life that only tender hands of caring vineyardists can give.
-
Our Colombard is flinty and mineral-driven with lime, asian pear, citrus and fresh acidity that lingers on the palate. The mouthfeel is textural with a laser-like focus. Pair this wine with Miso marinated Black Cod, oysters or a spicy Thai curry
-
Russian River Valley, 11.1% Alcohol by Volume, 68 cases produced, <.01 residual sugar, 3.06 pH, 8.8 g/L TA, winemaker is Greg La Follette.
-
Bright yellow/silver, the 2021 Colombard Old Vine is savory with chive, fresh pear, and green almond. On the palate, this zippy, fresh white is citrusy and linear with salty earth and bright lemon zest. It’s a bright, focused wine that would pair well with oysters.
Audrey Frick @ jebdunnuck.com - 7/21/2023