2021 Côte de Craig Grenache-Syrah

Candlestick Ridge Vineyard

Howell Mountain

FALL RELEASE

As we continue to replant the Syrah block on our Candlestick Ridge Vineyard, our ode to Northern Rhône’s Côte-Rôtie (Syrah-based) is now more of an ode to Southern Rhône’s Château Neuf-du-Pape (Grenache-based). Still possessing the ark, brooding depths of mountain grown Syrah, the tension, structure and explosiveness of the Grenache is taking first chair. Our case production remains tiny here at just eight barrels, so this wine is precious cargo.

750 ml

"The 2021 Côte de Craig is ready to debut. As the Syrah block continues to go through a replant due to the 2020 fire on Howell, this version features roughly 50% Grenache from a block about 100 yards away from the Syrah on our Candlestick Vineyard. The Syrah and Grenache are derived from cuttings from John Alban’s Central Coast vineyard that were sewn in to the rootstock in 1996. The 2021 vintage was the smallest on record for either of our Howell Mountain vineyards as vines struggled to recover from drought and fire, and the few bunches on the vines were thinned even further by windy, cold weather at flower. The result of this skin-to-juice ratio is wine
of depth and structure with explosive fruit. The wild, black and red thorny vine fruit flavors course through the wine on the palate and in the nose. The signature Howell Mountain ground white pepper spice and thorny underbrush accents are omnipresent
in the mid palate. In short, this wine is exquisite.

"The Côte de Craig is so named because I love great Côte Rôtie Syrah based wines from the "Roasted Slope" in the Northern Rhône Valley. It literally means "steep hill of Craig." "Côte du Rhône” refers to a much larger geographical area for those who mistakenly think I’ve spelled our proprietary name incorrectly. Our CDC isn’t cheap, but it can’t be considering we are at nearly $30,000 per acre to farm our Candlestick property. What it is though is rare, unique and extraordinary. I urge you to snap up your allocation of the 2021 edition. It is our best yet."

VINEYARDS: Candlestick Ridge Estate Vineyard
APPELLATION: Howell Mountain
COMPOSITION: 56% Grenache, 46% Syrah
CASES PRODUCED: 157

CANDLESTICK RIDGE VINEYARD Situated on the north end of the Howell Mountain summit cap at 2,250’ of elevation, this 26-acre vineyard, first planted in 1950, rests on a plateau overlooking the southeast face of Mount St Helena and the whole of Pope Valley. Replanted by Duckhorn Winery in 1998 to primarily Bordeaux varieties on varying rootstocks, the Candlestick Vineyard produces wines that are dense, dark and explosive with flavor. The pure white volcanic ash and Tufa soils are poor and well drained leading to low yields and intensely flavored berries. The Candlestick Ridge Vineyard is not only one of the greatest vineyard sites on Howell Mountain, it is truly singular in the world.

The 2021 vintage was the smallest on record for either of our Howell Mountain vineyards as vines struggled to recover from drought and fire, and the few bunches on the vines were thinned even further by windy, cold weather at flower. The result of this skin-to-juice ratio is wine of depth and structure with explosive fruit. The wild, black and red thorny vine fruit flavors course through the wine on the palate and in the nose. The signature ground white pepper spice and thorny underbrush accents are omnipresent in the mid palate.

VINEYARDS: Candlestick Ridge Estate Vineyard
APPELLATION: Howell Mountain
COMPOSITION: 56% Grenache, 46% Syrah
CASES PRODUCED: 157

2021 Côte de Craig Grenache-Syrah

About This Wine

Vineyard

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2021 Côte de Craig Grenache-Syrah

About This Wine

Vineyard

Tasting Notes

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