2021 Turtle Rock Plum Orchard

“The 2021 Plum Orchard is composed of 74% Grenache and 26% Mataro grown on decomposed sandstone. It was vinified with stems and matured for 22 months in 50% new French oak. “We do more stem inclusion versus whole cluster,” proprietor and winemaker Don Burns explains. “I destem everything, look for rot, see inside the clusters and hand pick my stems. Then I layer stems, whole berries, stems, whole berries.” The nose is bursting with pure raspberry, pomegranate and blood orange perfume, plus nuances of charcuterie, autumn leaves and Angostura bitters. The medium-bodied palate is weightless, yet it’s packed with complex layers of berry, spice and earth. It is reminiscent, to me, of the style of Château Rayas. It has a lacy frame of tannins, a focused spine of acidity and an elegant, layered finish. 273 cases were made.”