Dear Cellar Society Members,
I hope everyone is having a nice summer so far and is staying cool in this heat. The warm start that we have had to this summer has helped our vineyards move along at a nice rate this growing season and I am very optimistic that the fruit they yield this year will reach the perfect ripeness for creating another vintage of delicious 1850 wines. Here at the winery, we are wrapping up our bottling season and are beginning to turn our focus to harvest already - it’ll be here before you know it!
In the meantime, we are all preparing to host a series of fun summertime events at the tasting room including our Summer Concert Series, “Name That Tune” with Emily, as well as a Winemaker Dinner and Brunch with me. I hope to see you all on some of these dates, and that I get a chance to meet some of the folks that I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet. We will also be hosting our Summer Wine Club release party on July 27th and 28th. I will be in attendance on Saturday the 27th to discuss the wines and to answer any general winemaking questions you may have.
Speaking of the Summer Wine Club release, we are looking forward to bringing you a Rhone variety theme while unveiling the 2021 GSM blend and reintroducing you to the 2020 Grenache. These are both drinking very nicely right now and are showing great versatility with food pairings.
A blend of grenache, syrah and mourvèdre in equal parts, the 2021 GSM was co-fermented and then aged in a combination of American and French oak. Driven by dark chocolate covered strawberries, cola, vanilla, graham crackers and marshmallows, the nose of this wine is reminiscent of enjoying a summertime s’more at the campsite. The mouthfeel of this wine yields firm but fine grain tannins and a lingering finish of dried sage, white pepper and vibrant fruit.
The juicy acid structure of the 2020 Grenache makes this wine very approachable during the hot summer months and can even be enjoyed slightly chilled. The nose on this wine showcases the quintessential Grenache character of strawberries and cherries, while the American oak from its aging offers enticing vanilla notes. These come together in a way that reminds me of strawberry shortcake and candied pecans. On the palate, you will experience plenty of fruit-driven character with this wine and a very delicate tannin structure. This wine pairs nicely with Mediterranean pasta dishes, caprese salad and any dish incorporating balsamic reductions.
Thank you, Cellar Society, for your continued support of the 1850 vision. We are excited for what the near future has to bring and are looking forward to continuously presenting great wines to you.
All the best,
Brian Darwazeh, Winemaker
2021 GSM
Saureel Vineyard, El Dorado
Saureel Vineyard, El Dorado
TASTING NOTES: You asked for it, so it’s back! Our first GSM blend in a few vintages features big aromatics of chocolate covered strawberry, coffee liqueur, cola and marshmallow against a backdrop of brooding dark fruit. The palate of this wine yields firm but fine grain tannins and a lingering finish of dried sage, white pepper and vibrant fruit.
WINEMAKING NOTES: This vintage the varietals all reached ripeness at the same time, and we were able to ferment them together, allowing for a perfect harmony to come through in this wine. After fermentation we pressed the wine only lightly, to extract less tannin, allowing for a supple and drinkable wine without harsh structure.
AGING: Aged in a mix of used and new American Oak barrels for 18 months.
FOOD PAIRING: We highly recommend barbecued or roasted red meats with this delicious wine! For a vegetarian or vegan option try teriyaki marinated, grilled portobello mushrooms, roasted stuffed mushrooms, or veggie burgers with caramelized onion.
WINE SPECS
34% Syrah
33% Mourvèdre
33% Grenache
14.2% alcohol
123 cases produced
$36 per bottle
2020 Grenache
El Dorado
El Dorado
TASTING NOTES: Spiced fruit and rich chocolate notes are primary in this wine, leading to flavors of wild herbs, strawberry, and roasted plum. Firm but supple tannins lend a chewy mouthfeel leading to a long, fruit-laden and smooth finish.
WINEMAKING NOTES: We bled off a portion of the juice from the Grenache grapes and produced a rosé from the saignee. This allowed us to produce a red wine with greater concentration due to a higher ratio of grape skins to juice. The Grenache completed fermentation in tank after 10 days and was pressed to barrels for aging. Towards the end of aging, we blended in 14% Carignane to add just a bit more nuance and dimension to the wine.
AGING: Aged in French oak for 9 months, 60% new and 40% neutral.
FOOD PAIRING: Grenache loves to pair with pork belly, beef stroganoff, cassoulet, skirt steak, vegetable casserole or grilled veggies. If you’re looking for a red wine to pair with mildly spicy foods Grenache is a good choice. It is also light enough to pair with fish, including smoked fish which can match nicely with the smoke character some Grenaches express. This Grenache is a beautiful paired with smoked chicken or arugula salad with fresh strawberry.
WINE SPECS
86% Grenache
14% Carignane
13.9% alcohol
112 cases produced
$34 per bottle