Florèz Wines "The Pope's Smoke" Grenache Noir 2023

Garnet red, with an engaging and unique aromatic profile of beeswax, red licorice, strawberry and white lilac flowers. The palate is dense with red fruit, a bold, rustic tannin structure and a mouthwatering finish.

The grapes came from Mayacamas Mountains-Mendocino Vineyards, Eagle Point Ranch, located on the Talmage Ridge about 1,800 feet elevation overlooking the Mendocino valley. The vineyards are like solar panels to the skies, soaking up everything the habitat has to offer. The average age of the vines is about 50 years, in red clay soil. Certified organic.

100% whole cluster fruit was put in an upright French oak cuve and treaded to bleed some juice for fermentation. The native ferment was cared for with pumpers and pressed after about two weeks. Aged in neutral French oak barrels for 10 months. Racked once and bottled. Unfined, unfiltered, no additives including no added sulfites.

Florèz Wines was started by James Jelks in 2017. James grew up in the Santa Cruz area and studied winemaking at UC Davis. He worked in wineries all over the world for 10 years before returning home to make wine in the Santa Cruz area. He farms some vineyards himself, always dry-farmed, and also sources some fruit from organic and sustainable vineyards. He always works with native yeasts, does not use additives except for a minimal amount of sulfur at bottling, and does not fine or filter the wines.