Mourvedre, Enz Vineyard 2019, NoneSuch Wines

2019 was a later harvest year which allowed for greater flavor development without accumulating higher sugars, resulting in a tense and brilliant wine at lower alcohol. Hand-harvested on October 18th, the Mourvèdre grapes were foot-tread and fermented 100% whole cluster with native yeast, basket pressed, then aged in five neutral oak barrels for ten months. A core of Mourvèdre density is balanced with luscious floral wild rose aromatics, and the saline, earthy tannin impart depth and elegance.

The historic Enz vineyard was planted in 1922 deep in the central coast’s Gabilan Mountain range located east of Monterey on the San Andreas fault. The vineyard is dry-farmed and organically tended, growing in a unique mix of granite and limestone-rich loam. The gnarled 98 year old Mourvèdre vines are head-trained, basket-pruned, and own-rooted. Enz has the distinction of being the sole vineyard in the far flung Lime Kiln Valley AVA.

About the Winery

Embracing minimalist winemaking techniques in order to express vineyard terroir fully, the grapes are hand-harvested and foot tread, fermented whole-cluster naturally with native yeasts, and aged in entirely neutral oak barrels.