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Wine Details
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Description:
Renegade Red has always been one of Crystal Basin Cellars more interesting wines, combining the flavors and characteristics of different grape varieties and regions to create a greater whole, a la Gestalt theory.
The grapes came from long-time Crystal Basin Cellars sources from four vineyards in three different counties. Each variety was hand-harvested, fermented in small open-top vessels, pressed lightly and aged separately in new and used oak barrels. Blending trials were held to experiment with different approaches to the final blend. Once the final composition of the blend was determined the wines were blended together, then bottled unfined and unfiltered.
The intense Grenache notes of this wine favor the wines from the Cote du Rhone, where the best elements of the individual components are drawn out and knitted together.
The Grenache adds a deep, brooding and lingering strawberry fruit element to the wine, Mourvedre contributes depth and dustiness, Syrah provides smoky and pepper flavors, all topped with a hint of oak.
Renegade Red is perfectly enjoyable upon release but will improve for up to 36 months.
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Varietal Definition
Grenache:
Grenache Noir is the world’s most widely planted grape used to make red wine, sometimes made into a stand-alone varietal, frequently as a Rosé, but most often as a backbone of red blends. Its strength is its ability to grow in arid and windy conditions. It’s particularly suited to warm coastal regions of California, Spain and France. Grenache-based wines tend to be high in alcohol, with attractive fruit qualities in youth and a sweet berry character.Used as a component in some Northern Rhône reds, nearly exclusively for Rhône Rosés and as the primary component in nearly all Southern Rhône red blends, Grenache is probably most notable as the base varietal for Chateauneuf du Pape, Cotes du Rhône and Gigondas. In spite of its fame coming from French wines, Spain is most likely this grape’s origin.
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Mourvedre:
As long as the weather is warm, Mourvedre ably tolerates a wide variety of soils. It is popular across the south of France, especially in Provence, where it is responsible for the greatness of Bandol, and many a fine red Cotes-du-Rhone. It is often blended in Chateauneuf-du-Pape; Languedoc makes it as a varietal. Spain uses it in many areas, including Valencia. In the United States, Mourvedre remains a minor factor for now, pursued by a few wineries that specialize in Rhone-style wines. The wine it produces can be quite pleasing, with medium weight, spicy cherry and berry flavors and moderate tannins. It ages well.
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Syrah:
Syrah is the eight hundred pound gorilla of Rhone grapes! In the vineyard and the winery, Syrah is typically an easy grape to work with - healthy, early ripening, resistant to mildew and rot; suitable for winemaking in a variety of styles. The wines from Syrah are tannic without being harsh. The wines will have a taste and smell of dark blue fruit like blackberries and blackcurrant, with a strong spicy side where one can find freshly ground pepper and other spices. Syrah is famous for its part in the French blends, such as Côtes du Rhone and Châteauneuf du Pape.
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