2021 El Diablo

The stoney sandy-loam soil and gentle south-east exposure make such an intensely pretty Grenache. This special vineyard on Eastside Road in the Russian River, was historically farmed to the detail by the amazing Ulises Valdez, and now tended by his talented son, Ulises Jr. The name is due to an unsavory previous owner who thankfully only lingers in colorful stories. This vineyard is less than 5 miles northeast from the Basilisk vineyard, but it has a character altogether very different. With sandy, gemstoney-soils, a southeast face, and a very slightly warmer site, the expression of the Grenache is in the blue fruit range, more perfumed and mineral, with less muscle and more finesse on the palate.

The El Diablo offers a lovely bouquet of strawberry preserves, plum, bergamot, lavender, and herbs de Provence. The palate is elegant and textural, with flavors of strawberries, plum, lavender, and black licorice underpinned by velvety tannins and a very long finish. This wine exudes prettiness and gains in complexity with time, drinking well over the course of an evening, as well as the following day.