This Tannat is from the impeccably farmed Alder Springs vineyard in the town of Laytonville in Mendocino County. This block is quite young, but planted at high elevation of 2,300 ft on a steep, southern slope of decomposed sandstone. The combination of elevation and distance from the coast creates a cool climate with enough hang time to fully ripen Tannat. All vineyard work is done by hand. Yields are small and only sustainable methods are used. The vineyard is slowly being converted to biodynamic viticulture. Fruit was fully destemmed into concrete vats. Fermentation occurred spontaneously after a few days and the grapes were punched down and pumped over for 12 days. Élevage was in used barriques. Malolactic proceeded naturally. The wine was racked once prior to bottling and was sulfured twice, once after primary and again prior to bottling. The wine has not been filtered or fined and has no additions with exception of the small amount of sulfur used. “This wine displays an unconventional mixture of cedar and tobacco with violets and cherries on the nose. Bright fruit meets round tannins while the wine finishes savory and clean.” - Michael Cruse