2020 Balboa Tempranillo

Wine Maker Comments:

The Tempranilllo used in this lot was grown on the highest terrace of the estate. This elevated, flat acre of land shows the most decomposed limestone on the property and has perfect exposure for ripening the variety. I usually compare Paso Robles Tempranillo to the Ribera del Duero region of Spain, however, this particular batch really takes on the dusty, chewy, slightly herbaceous character of the Rioja. 

Vinification:

This Tempranillo lot was picked early in the morning to keep the fruit cool for processing. A quarter of the fruit was placed into small open top fermenters whole cluster while the rest was destemmed on top. The ferments were punched down 2-3 times per day. 15% of the juice volume was bled off in order to concentrate the varietal intensity of the flavors and tannins from the Tempranillo skins. The lot was fermented and macerated on skins for a total of 18 days prior to being pressed and barreled down.

Jeff Strekas

Soil Type:
Rolling alluvial terraces with decomposed limestone deposits along its slopes.