Urbano Cellars sourced fruit fro this wine from the Bokides Ranch,  which lies within the Clement Hills AVA which is located within the SE corner of the Lodi appellation.  Clements Hills is characterized by rolling hills that emerge out of the San Joaquin Valley to form the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  It is distinguished by it diverse soils (loam and clay on top of granite and volcanic).  It is generally warmer with cooler nights and more rainfall than the West side of Lodi. The vines are approximately 15 years old and trellised. Bokides Vineyards subscribes to the Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing.

After hand sorting, the grapes were de-stemmed and transferred to 1 ton open bins where they were cold-soaked for about 48 hours before undergoing primary fermentation. The must was punched down by hand 2-3 times a day. The wine was aged, with minimal racking, in a mixture of mostly neutral French and American oak barrels for about 18 months.

My tasting notes follow:

Medium violet color with dark fruit, red licorice,  and earthy aromas with hints of violets, baking spice and roast meat. On the palate it’s medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and well-integrated soft tannins with blackberry, black raspberry, black currant, and nuanced baking spice flavors accented with appealing bits of earthiness and minerality with a lingering finish. Blend of 34% Syrah, 33% Grenache and 33% Mourvedre; 14.5 abv   (Very Good to Outstanding; 89-90 pts.)

Pair with:  We paired with Filipino food that included Kare Kare (oxtail stew), and Pansit (a fantastic pairing!), but also consider pairing with other meaty stews or casseroles, Roasted Lamb Shoulder,  or Shepherds Pie.  Would also be great with aged cheese like cheddar or gouda

14.5% abv | 66 cases |$23 (sample)

About Urbano Cellars

Urbano Cellars, founded in 2006,  is a small locally owned, independent urban winery located in Berkeley, CA.  .  They produce small-batch, hand-crafted artisanal wines.  They’ve recently celebrated their 10th anniversary, marking a long journey from the vintners’ beginnings as “garagistas” to accomplished producers of award-winning wines.  Its popular Fourth Street brand red and white blends, are available in refillable one-liter bottles at the tasting room. For more information, please visit www.urbanocellars.com or on Facebook and twitter.

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