Minotaure ‘21
$35.00
Three and half hours north of Sonoma and nestled along the westside of the Mendocino National forest, resides the site of the Tempranillo, raised on talmadge gravelly loam soils of the valley floor. This vineyard is the only known producing vineyard in the AVA, making it the only wine coming from upper Mendocino’s Round Valley.
Sitting at 1,400 ft. elevation, Round Valley is the only Mendocino Valley AVA with a continental climate rather than a maritime climate. The valley regularly sees 45+ degree diurnal shifts in the summer, with highs nearing triple digits and lows in the mid 50s. To get there, you wind along a steep, narrow one lane roads that contour the middle fork of the Eel River, a 196 mile long river that opens into the Pacific Ocean south of Eureka. After driving through the steep, mountainous terrain, you’re dropped into a fault block valley of 25,000 acres of land. Filled with alluvium soils from 2.5 million years ago, the lower foothills have chaparral vegetation, grassland, scattered Oaks and this unique vineyard.
Tempranillo was handpicked by us and an incredible crew during the chilly dawn. It had 20% whole cluster, 30% direct press and the rest was destemmed and crushed into open top fermenters. Fermented for nine days on the skins then pressed into a stainless tank for one week then gravity fed into french neutral Oak. Aged in barrel for 14 months.
No additions or subtractions. Unfined, unfiltered, zero SO2.
Vintage: 2021
Alcohol By Volume: 13.5%
Style: Red Wine
Varieties: Tempranillo
Vineyards: Claus Vineyard
Soils: Talmadge gravelly loam
Farming: Organic
Bottling Date: 12-01-22
Cases Produced: 150
Label Art By: Laura Basanta
Tasting Notes: Dark fruits, slight tannins, earthy notes, best with grilled meats + vegetables.