Our 2013 Alicante Bouschet is a tribute to the underappreciated varietals that lent backbone to the “field blends” of yesteryear. Alicante’s known for its bold color. In fact, it was the incredibly dark color and substantial tannins of this varietal that brought it to California in the first place. Its peppery, meaty profile is balanced by dark red fruit notes, and accentuated by ample tannins. Alicante Bouschet was bred in  late 1800’s France as a teinturier (tinting) grape, and is one of the few grapes with red flesh (most grapes have color only in the skins). Very little acreage of Alicante remains locally, so savor this rarity, and raise a toast to our winemaking predecessors.