Rootdown Sangiovese, Jane's Vineyard 2019 (750 ml)

Organic. 100% Sangiovese. Sourced from Janes Vineyard in Mendocino County. Soil: Talmage series which consists of very deep, somewhat excessively drained soils formed in alluvium from mixed sources. Harvested the same day as the Mourvedre rosé from 2 bins of what Mike determined as the riper, softer fruit. Destemmed but kept as whole berries. The idea behind this wine is to be fresh, full of energy and not extracted. To achieve this, there were no pumpovers or punchdowns. Instead, he simply wet the cap by pitcher and let the ferment ride out naturally. Because this is a spontaneous fermentation, (and in order to keep the native yeasts healthy) he fully drained the tank halfway through fermentation, gave it a bunch of oxygen and pumped it back into the ferment to finish. Keeping the style in mind, he pressed early and let it finish off in tank and then aged it in neutral barrels for only 7 months. 48 cs produced.

Rootdown is the project of Mike Lucia, who, after many years working with some of the top estates in northern California — Copain, Goldeneye and DeLoach — decided he wanted to make the kinds of wine he loves to drink: low alcohol, high acidity, featuring some of California's relatively obscure grapes. To that end, Mike sources fruit from organic vineyards in Mendocino, Sonoma and Amador Counties, fermenting his wines with native yeasts, no new oak and minimal amounts of sulfur. The results are refreshing, fun and satiating bottles made from such diverse grapes as Trousseau, Sangiovese, Mourvèdre, Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc and Pinot Blanc. 

Jane's Vineyard is a 2-hectare "project" emphasizing biodiversity, located near the base of Duncan Peak in Hopland. The site sits atop Talmage soils; deep, well-drained soils formed in alluvium from mixed sources. All grapes are destemmed and only whole berries are fermented with native yeasts. Clean, bright, lively cherry, cranberry and strawberry with fresh resinous herbs — think thyme and lavender— on the nose with a lean, super  elegant finish. Enjoy with rosemary grilled lamb.