Clos Saron, "Kind of Blue", 2016, North Yuba, Sierra Foothills, CA

This co-ferment of Carignan, Syrah, and Grenache is rich with concentrated dark berries and plums, peppery spice on the palate, and gentle tannins.  

COUNTRY: USA

STATE: CA

APPELLATION (AVA): North Yuba

REGION: Sierra Foothills

VINEYARD(S): Markus Bockish’s Vineyard, Lodi (Carignan), Renaissance Vineyard (Syrah, Grenache)

VINTAGE: 2016

GRAPES: 50% Carignan, 20% Syrah 30% Grenache

SOIL: Markus Bockish’s Vineyard - Sand and fine, decomposed granite. Renaissance Vineyard - iron-laden, red granite

PRACTICE: Organic, biodynamic

VINIFICATION: Foot stomped and whole cluster co-fermented in polyethylene harvest bins. Macerated between 6-11 with once daily punchdowns. Pressed into neutral french oak barrels. Aged on the lees. Unfined and unfiltered. 

STYLE: Still

COLOR:

BODY: Medium to full

TASTE: Dry

TANNINS: Gentle tannins

PRIMARY AROMAS: Lively blueberries, blackberries, exotic spices

FLAVOR: Concentrated and bright berries and plum, peppery

FORMAT: 750 ml

ALCOHOL:13.4%

SERVICE AND FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTION: Pair with spicy lamb meatballs.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: Clos Saron

“It all started with a half-acre of Cab Sauv, planted in the “wrong” place. Early in 1995, Gideon Beinstock and his wife Saron were asked by their friend Leonard if they wanted to take over his small (0.5 acre) vineyard and make some wine for themselves. Gideon asked if Leonard would let them experiment with grafting it over to P. Noir. He said yes, and Saron proceeded to graft these 400 vines to P. Noir; they also doubled the vineyard density by “own-rooting” a P. Noir vine between every two grafted ones. This is how their “Old Block” came to be. Three years later Leonard sold them this piece of land and Clos Saron was born. 100% foot-stomped, whole cluster.” (clossaron.com)