2023 Turley Wine, Cinsault Bechthold Vineyard, California, USA

Planted in 1885, this Cinsault vineyard is certainly the oldest of its kind in the United States, and perhaps even the oldest Cinsault in the world! A light-bodied red grape, Cinsault (pronounced SAHN-so) is usually found in the south of France as a component of Chteauneuf- du-Pape in the Rhne Valley, or consumed as ros in Provence. The Bechthold Vineyard vines are gnarly, head-trained, and dry-farmed in deep, sandy soils. Theyre also ungrafted, meaning they remain on their original vitis vinifera roots that were first planted 136 years ago, a phenomenon nearly impossible to replicate today. The wine is light- bodied with fresh, high acidity, almost akin to a Gamay or a very light Pinot Noir. Its fermented using only natural yeasts and aged in 100% used French oak.