2011 St. Peter of Alcantara Vineyard Grenache - Le Cuvier Winery

Dehydrated strawberry, damp undergrowth, dirty wild raspberry. Unwashed blueberry, woody briar, dried red currant. Old barn and cellar funk, smashed rose and pepper flake. Crushed cranberry, pomegranate husk, and cherry pit boom with pronounced aromatic intensity, showcasing unique zesty organic tones that whirl and wisp with weightless expanse. Behind the fruit a cavalcade of spicy bramble, weathered wood, dried chilies collaborate with beautiful funky must to tease and tempt on the promise of fulfilling exotic intrigue. Chalky limestone provides the bass note for this otherwise remarkably high-toned spitfire that pulses with lively acidity and moderate tannin within its full bodied frame. Showing gorgeous tertiary development while remaining crunchy, lively, and remarkably fresh. This 2011 St. Peter of Alcantara Vineyard Grenache by Le Cuvier Winery is an insanely interesting and exceptionally complex Paso Robles Rhone red.

Le Cuvier founder John Munch has been making wine in Paso Robles for almost 40 years. His winemaking style has gradually evolved and today he largely abides by what many would consider natural winemaking practices. This bottling, crafted using Grenache sourced from a single vineyard in the Willow Creek District of West Paso Robles, is a terrific example of the merits of John's unconventional approach. This wine is extraordinarily expressive and alive, presenting an ethereal and aromatic bouquet rarely elicited from the Grenache grape. Native yeast fermentation and minimal sulfur additions have aided in creating a layer of mind boggling complexity that employs small traces of brett and VA to be used to its advantage. While not designed for the faint of heart this wine is completely riveting in its intricacy and depth, and has blown us away with its sheer uniqueness.