2013 turned out to be the longest and warmest season we have yet encountered down at the Grel Ranch in Hyampom. The fruit came in in great condition with sugars higher then we have seen before from this cooler than average site. The resulting wine shows ripeness that was not achieved in the previous vintages of 11 and 12 while still expressing the unmistakable terroir of this little gem of a vineyard.

• So to start, this wine is young and really opens up with some time so either decant or really give it some swirl action in the glass. On the nose it starts with black cherries, blackberries and strawberry jam before revealing its' earthier elements including black licorice, cloves, oregano, violets, and pine forest in the heat of summer. In the glass the color is an opaque deep garnet. In the mouth the flavors match the aroma profile: Full bodied with Black cherry, Strawberry and blackberry jam combine with a definite Earthy profile due to the extreme mountain terrain in which it grows. As is the norm with this wine, it has gripping but silky tannins that really wrap it up and present it beautifully! The acidity is lower than in years past but still adequate (and all natural, no additions) and may even make this wine more approachable in its youth than it has been.  All in all an excellent expression of this awesome vineyard that is juicy, ripe, and drinking now with some air!