Linne Calodo STICKS AND STONES 2021

"Try after 2024", schrieb James Suckling, und wir haben uns FAST dran gehalten ;-) Bis Mitte Dezember konnten wir es uns verkneifen, das edle Mitbringsel vom Chef in Ruhe zu lassen, aber dann siegte die Neugierde. Wir waren ja auch schon bei Matt Trevisan, dem charismatischen Typen von Linne Calodo und hatten dort einen der eindrücklichsten Termine unserer Reise. Als kleines Dankeschön hatten wir ihm damals einen vintage 24 Stunden von Le Mans-Aufkleber ersteigert - für den Wagen, an dem er gerade mit viel Herzblut schraubte. Wer "The Grand Tour" kennt, kann ungefähr erahnen, wieviel Spaß wir an diesem Tag hatten ;)

Beim Wein ist Matt ebenso Pedant wie Freigeist. Dass das gut zusammen geht, sehen wir immer wieder. Fleiß plus Kreativität und Konsistenz ist keine schlechtes Rezept für überragenden Wein. Der Sticks and Stones wird mit einem launigen Zitat angekündigt, ist aber vor allem ein superinteressanter Wein, den man wirklich noch gut weglegen kann, der uns aber sofort in seinen Bann zog. Christina und Jea

Flaschengröße (Liter): 0,75

Land: USA
Weingut: LINNE CALODO
Viticulture/Growing: Der Wein ist nicht bio-zertifiziert.

Dry-farmed (Grenache) and deficit irrigated (Syrah, Mourvédre). Nature-positive viticulture emphasizing biodiversity, native lifeforms and species coexistence by way of no-till, permaculture and polyculture practices. Agricultural floor managed through careful plant selection via hand-removal, mowing and grazing. Soil health managed through mulching, organic compost additions and animal grazing, including 48 head of sheep. All viticulture performed by full-time, in-house Linne Calodo vineyard team.

Region / AVA: Kalifornien, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles AVA
Weinberg: 100% Estate Grown.

The Grenache comes from the Northstar block at Linne Calodo’s estate Stonethrower vineyard, located just 10 miles from the ocean at an elevation of 1,350 feet. This north-facing block features clones 515 and 814, each contributing their own nuances. The Syrah comes from the Bandit block at Stonethrower and the Syrah South block at the main winery estate—both yielding high-toned Syrahs that accentuate the fresh raciness of the Grenache, all while slowing it down and anchoring the midpalate. A small pick from the main estate’s Mourvèdre South block extends the mouthfeel with an earthy, leathery dimension.

Spraying: Sulfur and Bacillus Pumilus for mildew control (organic)
Use of glyphosate: No.
Rebsorten: 75% | Syrah 15% | Mourvèdre 10%

Barrique: Yes, wine was aged in 2000L Foudre (50%) and a mix of 20% New French Oak barrels and 30% Neutral 3-5 year old barrels (Details unter "Blending and Aging", s.u.)

Fermentation: Three-day average cold soak. Native yeast fermentation. Twenty percent whole-cluster pressed (Grenache). Fermented in four-ton concrete and two-ton open-top stainless steel. Alternating daily pigéage (punchdowns) on Grenache and Mourvèdre and de la stage (rack and return) on Syrah by hand. Extended maceration of 21 to 30 days. Fractionally basket pressed.
Blending and Aging: Pressed into oak foudres and small French oak barriques. Blend assembled in March following harvest. Blend returned to oak foudres, large-format puncheons and 228-liter and 265-liter French oak barrels (30% total new oak) for maturation. Total aging: 18 months. Bottled and cellared on site for one year prior to release.
Bottling: Racked for clarity, low sulfur additions, unfined and unfiltered. No acidulation or manipulation.

Winemaker´s Comment: Heady aromatics of rosewater, chaparral, ripe strawberry and cedarwood. Expansive, seamless and impeccably weighted with velvety dark cherries, blue fruits, earthy loam and spice. Luscious tension and chewy length.

Alkohol % vol.: 15,5
Säure g/l: 5,8
Restzucker g/l: 3,8
pH: 3,64
Schwefel mg/l frei(total): 14(37)
Verschluss: Kork
Suitable for Vegans? Yes
Optimum drinking: jetzt bis 2031

Allergene: Enthält Sulfite
Winemaker´s Food Pairing: Leg of lamb with mint sauce, grilled watermelon salad, paella

Abfüller: Linne Calodo Cellars, 3845 Oakdale Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446, USA
Einführer und verantwortlicher Lebensmittelunternehmer: Apell Weine, Martin Apell, Ahnatalstraße 125, 34128 Kassel, Deutschland

“Sticks and Stones is our ballad to Grenache, and to our mindset as a blending house. It’s the idea of taking the bright flavors and luscious acidity of our best Grenache barrels, then lengthening them out with complements of Syrah and Mourvèdre. It blurs the dividing line between a varietal wine and a showcase blend—essentially a Grenache done the Linne Calodo way.” Matt Trevisan; Farmer, Winemaker, Proprietor

Meinungen (Auszüge):
jebdunnuck.com, August 2023:
I absolutely loved the 2021 Sticks and Stones, a prime example of Grenache at its sexiest and most seductive. Kirsch, sweet black raspberries, spring flowers, and sappy herbs all emerge on the nose, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a silky, elegant mouthfeel, and ultra-fine tannins. Based on 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, this gorgeous wine can be drunk any time over the coming decade. JD 97

Vinous, July 2024:
The 2021 Sticks and Stones pulls the taster down to the earth to take in an array of flowery undergrowth and ashen stones before blossoming further with crushed cherries and hints of sage. This is full of energy yet also silken to the core, with ripe red and blue fruits that envelope the senses just as a whiplash of zesty acidity maintains freshness. Tightening, grippy tannins mount, and yet the mouth salivates for more as a bitter tinge of blackberry lingers on. -- Eric Guido VN 95

95 WE , JS 94