Scholium Project Cinsault 1MN Bechtold 2019

red rose petals, dried cherries, fresh raspberry, red licorice, bay leaf and fenugreek

This wine is also produce from grapes grown in the Lodi area of California, but this time it is 100% Cinsault from the amazing Bechtold Ranch vineyard. This site was planted in 1870 on its own roots, making it the oldest Cinsault vineyard in the New World. The name 1MN is taken from the mistaken identity of the variety, which Abe was originally told was Malvasia Nera. After doing research he discovered that the German farmers who settled this area after the Gold Rush mistakenly used the name for Cinsault. I tasted the 2019, 2018 and this bottling and felt it was the most interesting of the bunch. Winemaking for this wine is exactly the same as the Zinfandel above and he made 100 cases.

Decant this wine for a few minutes. On the palate it is gripping and crunchy, with surprising persistence into the finish. Drink 2023-2024.