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.
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90 Points
Jeb Dunnuck
October 2019
Offers rich varietal aromas of chocolate, earth, dark fruits, and cedar. Brambly and fleshy with pure intensity on the palate.
Wine Details
Cellaring
10 years
Expected to age beautifully to 10 years past vintage date.
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Origin
Estrella District, Paso Robles, CAintage date.
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Food Pairings
Enjoy with grilled red meats and roasted potatoes, or a board of quality cured ham and aged cheese.
Composition Blend
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90%
Saint Macaire
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10%
Cabernet Sauvignon
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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