2019 Halter Ranch Grenache Blanc

Translucent gold color. Aromas of citrus fruits, orange blossom, and crushed rock mineral. Juicy lemon and lime fruits, fresh and vibrant, and firm acidity into a long finish. EB (9/20)

West of Paso Robles, in the heart of the Adelaida District, this vineyard’s unique location receives strong Pacific Ocean cooling. The moderated temperatures create an ideal climate for grenache blanc and picpoul to ripen slowly and maintain firm acidity. 2019 had an unusually cool and foggy growing season, delaying harvest until October 8. Barrel fermented and tank aged, the resulting wine shows appealing fresh fruits and elegance. Delicious now, it will be enjoyable over the next four to six years.

This is our first bottling from Halter Ranch, located on the western side of Paso Robles in the Adelaida District. The vineyard’s steep, south-facing hills reach 1950 feet in elevation and provide excellent sun exposure to counter the cooling influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean. The blocks of the vineyard that we harvest for our Grenache Blanc are slightly lower in elevation,1530 feet. Of the 2,200 total acres at the ranch, only a small percentage is planted to vineyards, leaving the remainder of the land to its natural landscape.

Rainfall: 35 inches (above average)
Bloom: Late May
Weather: Spring was cool and wet, summer had warm to hot days with cool nights.

Harvest Dates: 9 October
Grapes: Average Brix 23.0˚
TA: 6.57 g/L
pH: 3.19
Fermentation: 100% direct-to-press whole cluster; 100% natural primary finished in July 2020, secondary finished in January 2020.

Aging: Fermented in barrel, 4 months (100% new French oak); Stainless Steel aged for 4 months; Barrel aged for settling an additional 2 months in one year-old barrels (88% American and 12% French).

Sustainably farmed, hand-harvested grapes; whole-cluster pressed; fermented on the native yeasts; full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective SO2 35ppm at crush and 30 ppm during aging. Pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

Wine Enthusiast: 93 Points “Light in the glass, this bottling, which includes 20% Picpoul Blanc, begins with honeyed aromas of lime blossom, Meyer lemon zest and ripe white fruits. The palate grabs hold vigorously with a tightly woven, pithy texture, offering pear-flesh and lychee flavors, with the slightest hint of wood.” -Matt Kettman (August 2021)

The Wine Advocate: 92 Points “The 2019 Grenache Blanc Halter Ranch, blended with 20% Picpoul, requires some aeration to reveal pure aromas of white blossoms, honeycomb and peaches, fleshing out to generous spicy undertones. The palate is silky, vibrant and lifted with impressive nuance and a long, floral finish. Where the Grenache Blanc from Adelaida vineyard offers the intensity and breadth for a wide range of foods, this Halter Ranch is lacier, its transparent character illuminated most brilliantly on its own.” -Erin Brooks (February 2021)

Blue Lifestyle: 92 Points “Lush and juicy with crisp acidity, complexity and balance, aromatic and long.” -Anthony Dias Blue (May 2021)

Average Rating: 89.8

No. of Tasting Notes: 12

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