2015 LEDGE MCA Cuveé

MCA Cuveé

Three vineyards, three grape varieties, two barrels, one chance to order – that’s a lot of math just for a bottle of wine, but this is a really fun wine to make. It’s sort of our answer to chaos theory (did anyone ask?) Although blending together Tannat, Grenache, and Syrah isn’t exactly counterintuitive, it’s not like a lot of other wineries are connecting these particular dots. Syrah and Grenache are our bread and butter around here, but Tannat plays nice with them, adding depth and gravitas (and tannin for days) intermingling with the fruity and savory components inherent in the Rhône varieties like they were all supporters of the same football team. This was the only wine this vintage that was not a co-fermented field blend; despite their co-habitability as a blend, we handled each lot separately and married them together about a month before bottling. Serve it with a steak or wait until winter and go all-out Frenchie and make a big pot of cassoulet.   40/40/20

JEB DUNNUCK:

A blend of Rolph Family, G2 and Adams Ranch Vineyards, the 2015 MCA Cuvée is the only release from the estate that’s not cofermented and is 40% Tannat, 40% Grenache and 20% Syrah. It gives up lots of cassis, blueberry, dried herbs, incense and hints of charred meats in a ripe, perfumed, yet elegant, structured style. Jeb Dunnuck (92-94)

VINOUS:

Inky ruby. Sexy dark berry, mocha and floral pastille scents are underscored by suggestions of smoky minerals and peppery spices. Sweet, pliant blackberry and bitter cherry flavors stain the palate while picking up smoke and violet nuances with air. The mineral quality comes back on the impressively persistent finish, adding lift and bite to lingering black and blue fruit notes. Josh Raynolds, 93pts