
WINEMAKER NOTES
This wine offers a captivating depth, the nose presents delicate floral notes of dry rose petals and lavender, gradually revealing fruity tones of cherry and fresh raspberries. On the palate, the experience unfolds in layers, beginning with darker fruit flavors reminiscent of cherry pie, blackberry jam, and plum. However, as it lingers towards the finish, it transitions into more pronounced strawberry and raspberry notes. This wine has the potential to age gracefully for 7-10 years.
WINEMAKING TECHNIQUES
Harvested early in the morning to ensure gentle processing of cool fruit, the clusters were hand-sorted, destemmed, and crushed to release the juice. 10% of the fruit was left "whole cluster for complexity and fermented in small open-top bins with a blend of natural and cultured yeasts. After fermentation, the grapes were pressed directly into 40% new French oak barrels for 11 months of aging. The final blend consists of the winemaker's selection of the best barrels.
FRUIT SOURCE: MANCHESTER RIDGE VINEYARD
Located in Mendocino County, the Mendocino Ridge AVA is one of California's best-kept secret sources of spectacular fruit. The vineyard sits above the coastal fog at 2058ft, just west of Anderson Valley. Warm days and cool nights increase the hang time for ripening with harvest typically occurring one month later than our valley vineyards.
VINTAGE NOTES
In 2020, we faced numerous challenges. Low rainfall, early bud break, a pandemic, and an intense fire season tested our resilience. However, these difficulties led to shorter yields and increased stress on the vines, resulting in more intense and unique fruit flavors that truly stand out. Fortunately, we harvested our fruit before any harm from the fires and preserved the natural acidity, allowing it to shine.
THE WINERY
Bailarín Cellars was created in 2014 by a collective of family and friends, each following their respective passions. Together, we focus on producing small lots of handcrafted wines from unique vineyard sources. We are proud to share the fruits of our labor and love with you.