2021 Walker's Nebbiolo

The 2021 vintage was a welcome change from the catastrophe of 2020. Harvest began in Pinot Noir in early September, which is an historically average starting date. Sugar and acidity levels tracked well and while the crop size was shorter than we would prefer, we were able to harvest perfectly ripened fruit at a reasonable pace. The resulting wines have excellent balance and intensity. In our recent past there are some similarities to 2019 in that the wines possess great elegance and site specificity.

"Tobacco leaves, minerals, cherry pits, black raspberries and blood oranges fan out on the palate yet remain centered and precise. Pipe tobacco throughout. Impressive tannic structure. Drink or hold, but better to wait." - James Suckling, 92 points
Always the last pick of the harvest season, the fruit ferments in multiple lots, including one that is 100% whole cluster, and another fully destemmed portion. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for just shy of two years in a mix of large-format, neutral vessels, including French oak puncheons, hogsheads, and large Slavonian oak casks.
We farm two Nebbiolo at two dramatically different sites. Our newest planting at Gist Ranch is just over an acre situated on heavily fractured Vacqueros Sandstone. High in elevation and mostly above the fog, this site consistently ripens this fickly variety and is the backbone our Nebbiolo wines. Our Winery Estate Nebbiolo is sourced from a small 0.3 acre hillside perched just above the Rapley Trail Vineyard.