Rootdown Riesling, Cole Ranch 2022 (750 ml)

100% Riesling
Cole Ranch AVA - Mendocino, CA
Alc: 13.2%
TA 4.5 g/L
pH 3.07
g/f 4.0 ML Dry
Soil Compound: "Cole loam series" Silty clay loam with pockets of limestone

Tasting Notes
This Riesling is a true reflection of the electricity and linear quality of R1, while also encompassing the horizontal texture of the R2. Truly the best of both worlds! It's a lively wine that bursts on the palate with a pop of dandelion stems and wet slate. On the nose, there are hints of freshly baked pie crust made with quince, followed by the herbaceous notes found in Cole Ranch Penny Royal, and the subtle aroma of ripe banana peel.

Mike's Notes
Rootdown is fortunate to call Cole Ranch AVA home. Our Riesling vines, planted in 1973, are head-trained and dry-farmed, making them exceptionally distinctive. Rootdown is dedicated to back-to-roots winemaking, where Mike aims to showcase the unique terroir of Cole Ranch. 2022 was a very dry year which led to an early bud break. We foot treaded the Riesling before bladder pressing. This method allowed us to extract higher acid tones and texture, resulting in a more refined wine. We fermented the Riesling blend in 230-gallon eggs and neutral barrels, ensuring the wine retains its unique characteristics.

In the past Mike has produced 2 different Rieslings expressing 2 different dry styles. For the 2022 vintage Mike felt the most exceptional wine to express the vintage and terroir would be to combine the two creating a wine that moves on the palate in multiple directions and texture.

Cole Ranch
Our vineyard, Cole Ranch, is the smallest Appellation in the United States at 180 acres and 44 acres producing fruit. It sits inside of a terrarium-like microclimate and is tightly surrounded by multiple mountain ranges and hills with no other vineyards close by. Cooler and wetter than surrounding wine producing areas, its high elevation, drastic temperature swings and overall cooler climate leads to a longer growing season which preserves the acidity that is unique to Cole Ranch fruit. Cole Ranch hosts a terroir known for wines expressing vitality, earthiness, and electricity. When Mike acquired this vineyard in 2019, he began the stewardship of a vineyard that expresses its true self with grapes that thrive in its unique conditions. With steep terrain and a unique microclimate, Cole Ranch is particularly suited to growing Alpine grape varieties to create unique, thought provoking wines lead by terroir and texture.

Tech Sheet