Item Number: 6676 UPC: 0769434216295

Country: USA
Region: California Sub Region: Central Coast
Appellation/AVA: Central Coast
Vintage: 2011
Grape(s): 56% Carignane / 28% Mourvèdre / 9% Grenache / 6% Syrah / 1% Zinfandel
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750ml Pack: 12
Closure: Screwcap
Case Production: 2,256
Alc by Vol(%): 13.7
Total Acidity: 3.53
pH: 6.2
About: Contra is a wine that reflects the opposite of modern wine sensibilities—of wines over-worked and amped up, pushed and prodded into Procrustean palate numbing sameness. This wine is a contrarian blend of perhaps the most old-fangled grape variety, Carignane, from several extremely old (100 year+), nongrafted, dry-farmed head-trained vineyards located in Contra Costa County and young, vibrant, racy and peppery Syrah.

Tasting Notes: The 2011 Contra marries the fresh blackberry and cranberry aromas of old vine Carignane with the classic old vine Mourvèdre character of licorice and leather. This vintage provided a bright acidity with black cherry, blackberry, and a mix of spice on the palate. The silky tannins provide this wine with a texture to savor.

Winemaking Notes: Dedicated to producing wines in a more unaffected, hands-off style, with a particular emphasis on the expression of terroir, the grapes for Contra were harvested by hand from the northernmost reaches of old vines from Contra Costa County’s Del Barba and Evangelho Vineyards and from the more Southern climate vineyards Arroyo Seco’s Ventana Vineyard, San Luis Obispo’s Alamo Creek Vineyard, Monterey’s Rancho Solo Vineyard, and Santa Maria Valley’s famed Bien Nacido Vineyard. Grapes were hand sorted, indigenous yeast fermented in individual lots with extended maceration and 100% malolactic fermentation before blending to achieve to a wine that is bursting with life, exuberance and deep vitality.