2017 Chalone Vineyard Estate Grenache, Chalone AVA
Winemaker Notes
Layers of dark fruit and earthy minerals unravel on the palate of this 2017 Grenache. Tart blackberry
and raspberry notes accompany smoky oak flavors for a smooth lingering finish.
Composition
100% Grenache
Wine Specs
Vintage
2017
Varietal
Grenache
Appellation
Chalone AVA
Acid
6.0 g/L
pH
3.64
Aging
9 months in French oak, 40% new
Alcohol %
14.2
Production Notes
The 2017 vintage yielded an average amount of rainfall overall, however approaching harvest we experienced
incredible heat spikes with temperatures above 110°F for more than two weeks. A sudden
temperature increase during this critical time makes for a swift harvest as sugar levels spike resulting in
the entire vineyard ripening simultaneously. All of these factors amounted to a very condensed harvest,
similar to the year prior.
Vineyard Notes
Chalone estate vineyard is planted between 1,650 and 1,800 feet of elevation, on top of the Gavilan
Mountains on the eastern side of the Salinas Valley. We hand-harvested the Grenache from the MacWood
block, totaling 1.7 acres, which was planted in 1999 and grafted to St. George rootstock. Grenache is widely
grown in France’s Rhône Valley and in Spain, where it is vinified both as rosé and red wines. At Chalone,
we take advantage of both styles.