The owners of Frick used the proceeds from selling their 1957 Chevy to start the winery in 1976; Frick Wines are individually crafted by hand. Traditional time honored methods of wine making are employed; that include hand harvesting the grapes, punching the cap by hand during fermentation, soft pressing, no fining or filtering and aging in small oak barrels.Cinsault is a rare delicious Rhone variety. Found as a minor component in the blends from the Rhone. This wine is 100 % Cinsault, 100% grown in the Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County. These grapes come from a small two acre plot in Dry Creek from 45 year old vines. This is a rare varietal with a small production in California and at Frick Winery.
Cinsault is popular with growers because it is relatively easy to produce and yields are high. The varietal does not need a lot of water nor a long growing season. However, the Cinsault grape does have some inherent pitfalls. Humidity is the nemesis of Cinsault. Because the grape grows in very compact bunches, rot can be an issue. If left to its own devices, the vine will overproduce fruit. Cinsault can lack distinction when it is produced in very high quantities and will make bland, uninteresting wines. Extended maceration of the must before fermentation seems to be one of the keys to making rounder, more balanced wines with Cinsault. calwineries.com
Body: medium to full
Color: dark ruby
Aromas: fresh strawberries and red cherries, cherry cola, lightly floral, spice on the finish
Case production: 390 cases
From their website: Tasting
Notes: Fresh berry, strawberry and spice flavors. Lingering, medium-full body. A fresh red wine with a great personality. Strawberry-cherry fruit character, spice on the finish. The wine is very versatile, fun and easy to drink and very accessible and likable. The complexity and abundance of fruit and soft tannins is the wonderful character of the wine.The Vineyard: On A high, dry, western bench of Dry Creek Valley, the head pruned Cinsault vines grow in a medium red, dusty clay soil. Covering only 2 acres, the old vines yield a small amount of this fragrant, fruity grape for Frick Cinsault.
Eat with: duck confit, garlic & parsley roasted French fingerling potatoes, frisée salad
Website: http://www.frickwinery.com/
