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2017 J. Lohr

Saint-Macaire

Buena Vista Road Vineyard

Due to extremely limited inventory, please contact our Member Services team to purchase at wineclubs@jlohr.com or 805.226.3641.

  • 90 Points

    Jeb Dunnuck

    October 2019

Steve Peck standing with his arms on his sides standing among rows of wine vines

Offers rich varietal aromas of chocolate, earth, dark fruits, and cedar. Brambly and fleshy with pure intensity on the palate.

— Steve Peck, Vice President, Winemaking

Wine Details

Cellaring

10 years

Expected to age beautifully to 10 years past vintage date.

Facts Sheet
  • Origin

    Estrella District, Paso Robles, CAintage date.

  • Food Pairings

    Enjoy with grilled red meats and roasted potatoes, or a board of quality cured ham and aged cheese.

View Our Recipes

Composition Blend

  • 90%

    Saint Macaire

  • 10%

    Cabernet Sauvignon

Close up grapes vineyard

Vineyard

This 2017 Saint Macaire was grown at the Buena Vista Road Vineyard in the warmer Region III climate of the Estrella District in Paso Robles. Conditions here are ideal for late ripening reds such as this rare Bordeaux variety. Plantings of this heritage Bordeaux variety have dwindled from several hundred acres to less than one acre in France - just as it has gained popularity in California, where it may be better adapted to the dry climate. Clone 03 cuttings for this planting were secured from the Foundation Plant Services mother block at the University of California, Davis in 2014. Saint Macaire is a thick-skinned fruitful variety that sets a heavy crop of big clusters with large berries. The farming plan required pruning to one bud in the winter and thinning the crop extensively in mid-summer to achieve the dark color and flavor intensity we were after.

Vintage

This inaugural vintage of J. Lohr Saint Macaire was blessed by the return of generous rainfall to the Paso Robles AVA, following an unprecedented 5-year period of dry winters. Budbreak occurred in early April, followed by bloom in the middle of May. The crop was thinned heavily to 1.5 tons per acre prior to veraison to maximize color and flavor development in the young vineyard block. In early September, an alarming heat wave hit but the Saint Macaire was still several weeks away from harvest and came through that temperature spike unharmed. Patience and seasonal weather in October brought the desired full ripeness and flavors just in time for harvest at the end of that month.

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