Marc Girardet’s parents first planted their Roseburg, Ore., vineyard in 1971, and he took over the winemaking 18 years later. The family established this pricey block of Tempranillo in 2009, so their “bush-trained” bottling hails from just fourth-leaf fruit harvested Oct. 12. Aromas of black currant, cherry taffy and Red Vines licorice include beet juice, lavender and alluring spices. The drink is nicely balanced with red currant and blackberry flavors, backed by a medium structure of tannin and blueberry acidity, and capped by some herbal notes for a rustic finish. Suggested fare includes roasted beef, lamb, mushroom dishes and chocolate.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 73 cases
Alcohol: 13.8%
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