Martha Stoumen Wines - Mendocino Benchlands Red Blend 2020 750ml (12.5% ABV)

This light blend smells like tart raspberries just plucked off the bush and tastes like grown up hawaiian punch. Notes of pineapple, pluot, and orange groove together for a rejuvenating blend, and show off a lighter side of Petite Sirah.

region: Mendocino County, CA, USA

varietal: 40% Petite Sirah, 37% Zinfandel, 23% Nero d'Avola

style: red

farming/cellar: Zinfandel and half of the Petite Sirah from Chiarito-Ling Vineyard, Ukiah, Mendocino County; they lease and farm; dry farmed (no irrigation) vines; farmed according to organic principles without the use of pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fungicides.

The other half of Petite Sirah comes from Benson Ranch, Ukiah, Mendocino County: 14 year old dry farmed (no irrigation) vines, gravelly loam soil.

Nero d’Avola from Fox Hill, Talmage Bench, Mendocino County: 33 year old vines (as far as we know the oldest Nero d’Avola in CA), sandy loam soils.

All four components of this early season Zin, Petite Sirah, and mid-season Nero d’Avola blend were fermented separately in small batches: whole cluster for the Zin and Petite, destemmed for the Nero. All lots pressed prior to dryness and barrel aged for 6 months off lees. Unfined. Unfiltered. Sediment expected. vegan friendly.

pairing: tamarind grilled shrimp fajitas, flour tortilla naturally, avocado slices, sour cream, shredded romaine, senor lechuga hot sauce, lime, pineapple pico de gallo.