♦ 2007 Durif– Mendocino ♦

Vineyard: McDowell ValleyVineyard
Appellation: McDowell Valley, Mendocino County
Wine: 100% Durif
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 182 cases

What’s a Durif?!

Durif is one of many grape varieties that is grown in the Rhône Valley of France and it is one of the varieties allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines. Early in the 20th Century cuttings of Durif from the Rhône Valley were shipped to California, but during this process the cuttings were given the name Petite Sirah. There really is no such thing as Petite Sirah in France, it was simply a name applied to the Durif grape when it was first brought over to the U.S. Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard has been labeling this variety by its “real” name since 1977.

Whatever you want to call it, this particular release has very complex aromatics that include hints of rose petals, black pepper spiciness and a touch of wood smoke. These elements are wrapped around an impressive depth of blackberries and other dark fruit flavors. Have it with a nice cut of beef or lamb and it should work beautifully.

The grapes for this wine come from plantings in the McDowell Valley appellation of Mendocino county from 1948. These old vines produce wines with a lot of flavor intensity and the kind of character and complexity you can only get with an older vineyard.