2005 Estates Wildflower Valdiguié

Purchase 2005 Estates Wildflower Valdiguié

2005
J. LOHR ESTATES
Wildflower
Arroyo Seco, Valdiguié


VINTAGE

In Monterey County’s beautiful Arroyo Seco region 2005 offered a season of natural abundance and ideal winegrowing conditions. Because Valdiguié is always the last variety to ripen in our vineyard, the weather at the end of the growing season is particularly essential for quality. With a lack of any significant heat spells late in the year, our Valdiguié enjoyed ample time to hang on the vine and ripen at its own languid pace. As a result, the grapes grown during this long, consistent season offered all the bright spicy fruit of great Valdiguié.

A number of techniques were used to accentuate the wonderful character of this lively varietal. From the use of carbonic maceration (or whole berry fermentation) to our emphasis on lengthy cold soaks and wild fermentation, our goal was to maintain the purity of the wine while adding complexity.

VALDIGUIÉ

Our 2005 Estates Valdiguié was grown on Chualar loam soil in the Arroyo Seco appellation of Monterey County. Originally thought to be the Gamay Noir grape of France’s Beaujolais winegrowing region, UC Davis has since identified this grape to be Valdiguié from an area in the southwest of France. Regardless of its origin and identity, Valdiguié grown in the windy, cold Arroyo Seco produces a wine reminiscent of the ‘Crus’ of Beaujolais’ – Morgon, Fleurie and Moulin-a-Vent.

TECHNICAL DATA

Origin: Wildflower, Arroyo Seco Vineyard, Monterey County
Composition: 100% Valdiguié
Harvest Date: October 25 – 27, 2005
Brix at Harvest: 21.8° average
Total Acidity: 0.74 g/100 ml
pH at Bottling: 3.26
Alcohol: 12.5% by volume
Residual Sugar: 0.69 g/100 ml
Vinification: Stainless steel fermented
20% carbonic maceration (whole cluster fermented),
80% traditional red wine fermentation. Fermentation to 85°F
Maturation: 2 months in stainless steel post fermentation
Bottling Date: January 2006

WINEMAKER’S COMMENTS

Vibrant purple-red in color with youthful hues, our Wildflower Valdiguié displays intense varietal aromas of boysenberry, raspberry, blackberry and bing cherry preserves, with a touch of black pepper. The enticing bright berry character continues on the palate, which is well balanced with a lush, fruity finish. This wine is ideally consumed soon after harvest in the manner of a ‘nouveau’ wine--slightly chilled--and pairs wonderfully with picnic and garden-fresh fare, poultry or duck dishes, and sushi. Or, serve as an aperitif for casual drinking with friends.

Daniel Shaw, winemaker

Purchase 2005 Estates Wildflower Valdiguié

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