2006 LE MISTRAL
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Le Mistral is a blend which includes the major grape varieties, or cépages, that have been grown in the Southern Rhône Valley of France for centuries. These include (but are not limited to) Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan. We believe there are remarkable similarities between Monterey, California’s wine growing regions and the Southern Rhône Valley, including the blustery afternoon winds for which this Rhône-style wine is named.
Joseph Phelps Vineyards has announced that as of the 2007 vintage, Le Mistral wines will be produced and bottled in Monterey by the Le Mistral Vineyard, whose owners have grown the grapes for the highly acclaimed wine for the past eleven years in Monterey County. The head winemaker will be Reggie Hammond, of sister vineyard Ventana Vineyard. Visit the dedicated Le Mistral Vineyard website at www.lemistralvineyard.com
| Vintage: | 2006 |
| Wine Type: | Red Wine |
| Varietal Composition: | |
| 62% | Syrah |
| 35% | Grenache |
| 3% | Alicante Boushcet |
| Harvest Date: | Oct 12 - Oct 31 |
| Barrel Aging: | |
| 13 Months | |
| WSRating: | 92 |
2006 Vintage Notes: While massive flooding from the Napa River in January of 2006 made national headlines, this had little effect on Monterey County. In our Le Mistral Vineyard near King City, total rainfall was 9.5 inches, slightly under the average of 11 inches. Daytime temperatures in Monterey County tend to be quite variable because of the wind. The temperature gradually rises during the day and peaks around 2pm every afternoon. Then the maritime influence of Monterey Bay causes the wind to blow inland, and it is not unusual for the air temperature to cool by as much as 20⁰F in less than an hour. In 2006 this cooling weather extended the growing season and allowed the grapes to develop optimal maturity. The extra hang time resulted in good color extraction and balanced tannins which frame a rich, opulent, long-lived wine.
Grapes were harvested at an average 24.5⁰ Brix, fermented in stainless steel tanks, then aged for 13 months in a combination of new French oak barrels (45%) and two-year-old French oak (55%). Coopers were François Fréres, Saint Martin, Sirugue, Saury and Ermitage. The wine was blended and bottled in January, 2008. Estate grown fruit from Monterey County comprised 95% of the blend, with the balance supplied by independent growers
4,000 cases
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