Stolpman Vineyards Love You Bunches 2022

Stolpman Vineyards is considered the founding vineyard of the Ballard Canyon AVA within Santa Barbara, which was granted official status in 2013. Over a dozen wineries have joined the AVA and all have decided to focus on syrah, based on Stolpman's results in varietal experimentation. They’ve also had great success with Sangiovese, with the hot, dry days providing favorable conditions for the traditional Italian grape.

 

Stolpman Vineyards began producing Carbonic Sangiovese in 2013 in an effort to make a fresh, lighter version of Sangiovese.  Sangiovese, as a grape, is both highly tannic and high in acid – a one-two combination that often creates a rough, rustic profile when drunk young. Carbonic Fermentation doesn’t extract the Sangiovese’s tannin because the grapes ferment whole, uncrushed in a sealed tank. This winemaking technique brings forth the bright fruitfulness of red grapes while also softening tannin. Fast-forward to today and we have the most recent release of this juice-bomb, renamed "Love You Bunches" (a reference to the use of whole grape bunches during the fermentation).

Bright red raspberry, red currant, rhubarb, and violet.  Refreshing to the max but bone dry with just a kiss of fine tannin.  Just enough of a riper profile behind the bright “ray of sunshine” energetic cut.  Candied cherries and red jolly ranchers bring home the deliciousness quotient.  A floaty, foamy layer bordering on frothed cappuccino milk marries to the zip and tang.  Serve cold!