2020
Late Harvest Mission
Mokelumne River, California
Alc 17% by vol. (500ml)

CASES:
75

BACKGROUND:
After prohibition alcohol laws became stricter in the US. In an effort to not have to have onerous inspections from ATF agents when fortifying wines with distilled spirits (which demanded a separate license), a few California winemakers decided to try to make high alcohol port-like wines without having to fortify them with spirits. This involves picking fruit very ripe, where the potential for alcohol is at its highest and then “helping” the ferment along to reach completion by often adding a boiled down concentrated “syrup” of the must. This tricks the yeast into converting as much of the sugar into alcohol as possible, and often alcohol levels of 17-19% can be achieved naturally. This wine is a homage and example of that almost forgotten method.

STYLE:
This non-fortified wine was allowed to ferment until completely dry and then aged 3 years in neutral barrels. This produces one of the most complex and lengthy wines I’ve ever produced. And just when you’re expecting that sweetness from an almost port-like experience to kick in, it just substitutes it with complex long dry fruit flavors. A completely unique wine made in an almost forgotten post-prohibition style. Perfect as an aperitif or for hearty winter soups and stews.

VINEYARD:
Somers Vineyard is one of the few remaining Mission vineyards left. Prob planted in the early 70’s, nobody knows exactly. They grow right next to the river in the Mokelumne River AVA, Lodi, California and are mostly dry farmed, since their roots reach deep.

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