2019 TBD Wines Counoise

Mt Veeder

An obscure grape historically connected Rhone Valley wines, specifically with Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Counoise (koon wahz’) is used to balance the intense spice, strong tannins and high alcohol of Syrah. On its own it can deliver good fruit, acidity and aromatics.

This vineyard runs along a ridge line west of the Dry Creek Canyon in the core of the Mayacamas Mountains. The vineyard is formed on residual soils, the weathered and decayed components from the Great Valley sequence. This bedrock is thin to medium, thick beds of arkosic sandstone interbedded with thin-bedded shale. The strata are roughly 120 to 80 million years old, forearc sediments of the Sierran arc complex.

In the glass, a deep garnet with a purple and blue rim. Aromas of toasty vanilla from the barrel and raspberry. Blue and red fruit on the palate combined with moderate tannins and a sweet/tart finish. A medium bodied red wine that would pair with light sauces.