"The wines are elegant, harmonious, beautifully integrated and built to age."
Valerie Kathawala THE VINTNERS PROJECT
*Made with CCOF certified organic and DEMETER certified biodynamic grapes.
2018 Before Anyone Else
100% Clairette. BAE is an intriguing, textural, age worthy white wine that channels the great wines of Burgundy, Rhone, and Rioja. Clairette couldn’t be happier here at the MAHA. Planted in a lower section with a fair amount of clay over limestone, it requires little attention, sets a modest crop and ripens AMAZING fruit. Fermented and aged in 45% new French and Hungarian barrels, the wine offers intoxicating aromas of exotic tropical fruits, melon, marzipan and white flowers. It transitions to an opulent and vivacious palate that has one salivating for the next sip…think Pavlov’s dog. While absolutely delicious out of the chute, this wine will evolve to a stratospheric level with 7-10 years of cellaring. Drink 2020-2025
"Brilliant straw-yellow. Ripe citrus and orchard fruit, succulent herb, honey and jasmine aromas are energized by hints of dusty minerals and ginger. Juicy and impressively concentrated, offering intense Meyer lemon, pear nectar and bitter quinine flavors that show excellent clarity and vibrant back-end lift. The floral and mineral notes resonate strongly on the youthfully chewy finish, which hangs on with impressive tenacity." 94 pts - Vinous Media
2017 Backlit
70% Petite Sirah, 12% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache, 8% Carignan. Petite Sirah takes center stage in Backlit. The Petite sees the day’s first light, and the afternoon shade and coastal breezes giving ample ripeness, good acidity and fine tannins. The Mourvèdre adds tropical fruits, the Grenache bumps the spice, and the Carignan offers dark and savory notes. The vibrant ox-blood color catches your attention at first glance. Aromatics of bittersweet chocolate and espresso are complemented by raspberry preserves and spice. Great concentration, balance and precision transition to a seamless texture with just enough tension to ask for a bit of cellaring. If you can’t keep your hands off this, decant it for a few hours and let the fireworks begin. Drink 2020-2033
"Opaque, shimmering maroon. Potent red and dark berry, musky earth, candied flowers and exotic spices on the deeply perfumed nose. Stains the palate with intense black raspberry, cherry cola, bitter chocolate and violet pastille flavors that are sharpened by a building spice-cake quality. Shows superb energy and powerful floral thrust on the impressively long, gently chewy finish, which features steadily building tannins and repeating spiciness." 96 pts - Vinous Media
2017 Understory
65% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 5% Carignan. Grenache occupies 6 acres here at the MAHA. Understory features Grenache from two of our three Grenache blocks. Fanny’s block, on the south facing slope directly above the winery, is planted to a Spanish clone that brings bright fruits and structure. Jack Rabbit block is planted to a French clone and sits at a slightly lower elevation with south east exposure This clone is known for it’s complexity and savoriness. Mourvèdre compliments the Grenache with its darker fruit profile and lower acidity. A bit of Carignan adds a distinct umami component that takes things to the next level. The ruby red slippers color is the first sign that says “I don’t think we’re are in Kansas anymore”. A ethereal bouquet of licorice, camphor, cherry Luden’s, dried flowers, and nori flows into a seamless beauty sporting intensity and fine tannins. It has you clicking your heels until the bottle is gone! Drink 2020-2033
"Glistening ruby. Energetic, mineral- and spice-accented aromas of ripe red/blue fruits are complicated by suggestions of succulent herbs and pungent flowers. Broad and fleshy on entry, then more taut in the midpalate, offering juicy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a suggestion of five-spice powder. Finishes very long and subtly sweet, with slow-building tannins, a touch of smokiness and repeating spice and floral character." 96 pts - Vinous Media
