Peirano Estate Vineyards Tempranillo
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The Lodi appellation is an ideal growing area for Tempranillo and presents a climate and terroir much more in tune with that of Tempranillo’s native Spain then other areas of California.
- The fruit for this wine was harvested by hand into small bins for gentle handling and to maintain health and quality of the fruit.
Varietal Composition: 100% Tempranillo
Elaboration: Once the fruit is harvested, the grapes are inoculated with yeast that helps retain the fruits’ natural character while extracting a good amount of tannin during an even fermentation. Peirano uses a combination of rotary fermentation as well as static fermentation (tank fermentation), because we can get different characteristics from each. The rotary fermentation is typically short and monitored closely so that the wine never gets bitter or over extracted. After completion of malolactic fermentation the wine is racked and then aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels.
Tasting Notes: This Spanish varietal gives off a glorious garnet color as a sight for sore eyes. The wine is medium-bodied with aromas of ripe dark plum, boysenberry jam and blackberries. The bouquet from the barrel adds a hint of toffee. Swirl it around and immediately notice the tears of the wine as they slowly slide down the glass with joy. Take a sip to indulge in a palate of spiced plum, blackberry, dragon fruit and a touch of goji berry followed by moderate tannins that linger on the finish.
PRESS
2017 – 88 Wine & Spirits “Best Buy” | 90 Wine Enthusiast “Best Buy”
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
The man in the awesome red shorts is Lance Randolph, and he is on a mission. His mission is to make the best wine to ever come out of the Lodi Appellation. Lance’s great grandfather, Giacomo Peirano, arrived in San Francisco in 1879 from his home in Genoa, Italy. By 1881, he started farming in Lodi, and year by year he steadily gained a place for himself pioneering vineyard and orchard development. Planted in the early 1880’s, Peirano Estate was one of the first vineyards in Lodi. Located in the very heart of the Lodi Appellation (granted in 1986), Peirano Estate Vineyards grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Viognier, Barbera, Petite Sirah, and has perhaps the largest single block of old, head-trained, natural rooted Zinfandel left in the state of California.
Nestled between the Sacramento-San Joaquin river delta and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Lodi has an ideal Mediterranean climate with deep, rich, sandy-loam soils and abundant quality water. These factors combine to make Lodi a major producer of quality wine grapes. Beginning with the hard work and inspiration of Giacomo Peirano, five generations have grown and harvested grapes from these vineyards for over 100 consecutive years.