2023 Miro Cellars Grenache

Tasting Notes

The Vintage: The 2023 vintage was cool and wet. February brought freezing temperatures and even a bit of snow on the valley floor. The precipitation also drove extra canopy growth and 5%–15% higher yields for most varieties. Our viticulture team thinned and adjusted the crop where necessary to keep it balanced and promote ripening in a very late year. Overall, the season ran late from bud break through veraison to ripening and harvest. As a result of that long, slow ripening, the 2023 wines are deeply flavorful, beautifully colored, dense, and concentrated, with moderate alcohol. Their tannin, structure, and acidity resemble some of the best European vintages—likely one of the most memorable and age-worthy years in a long time.

The Vineyard: We’ve purchased the Grenache for several years now from Peter Chevalier—a long-time grower and vineyard manager—whose tiny vineyard sits literally in his back yard, directly above the shore of Lake Mendocino. Its success comes down to sustainable farming, the soil, and an ideal microclimate—all perfect for growing high-quality grapes.

Winemaking: The grapes were cluster-sorted and gently destemmed before fermentation, with a small percentage of whole clusters added to the bottom of the tank to lift the fruity Grenache aromatics. The wine fermented in stainless steel at relatively low temperature and was pressed at dryness after nine days. Malolactic fermentation  nished in barrel.