Wine Article
NV Zeppelin Winery Le Chaperone
Last edited on 10/21/2018 by ChipGreen
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Winemaker Notes:
The wine is almost all equal parts Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet. I do emphasize that the wine is neither as tannic nor as dark as one might expect from the reputations of the varieties; rather it is moderate in alcohol (!!!) while still being rich and complex. Yes, 'smooth' and 'elegant' apply as well.
Almost all '17, it consists of a blend of a 110 liter French barrel and a 30 gallon American barrel, both having had other wine in them for a few months before the Chaperone was delivered.
47% Petite Sirah, Guido Poalillo Vineyard, Adelaida District, Paso Robles. Dense but not dumb, deep, deep plum fruit and spices. Three long rows, about 200 vines, forming a U around the (recently sold) property, which suffers from cold drainage - it is far, far from being in the Raisin Belt many miles to the east. Picked by a team of three: myself, another type of chaperone, and an artist who nodded off in the truck.
46% Alicante Bouschet, Hill of Graceland, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles. A few very short rows totaling 70-80 vines, thus yielding very little, on the north side of the creek: red fruit and more spices that keep coming back. Food friendly, so make sure there's a meal near.
7% Syrah clone 877, Hill of Graceland.
The wine is almost all equal parts Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet. I do emphasize that the wine is neither as tannic nor as dark as one might expect from the reputations of the varieties; rather it is moderate in alcohol (!!!) while still being rich and complex. Yes, 'smooth' and 'elegant' apply as well.
Almost all '17, it consists of a blend of a 110 liter French barrel and a 30 gallon American barrel, both having had other wine in them for a few months before the Chaperone was delivered.
47% Petite Sirah, Guido Poalillo Vineyard, Adelaida District, Paso Robles. Dense but not dumb, deep, deep plum fruit and spices. Three long rows, about 200 vines, forming a U around the (recently sold) property, which suffers from cold drainage - it is far, far from being in the Raisin Belt many miles to the east. Picked by a team of three: myself, another type of chaperone, and an artist who nodded off in the truck.
46% Alicante Bouschet, Hill of Graceland, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles. A few very short rows totaling 70-80 vines, thus yielding very little, on the north side of the creek: red fruit and more spices that keep coming back. Food friendly, so make sure there's a meal near.
7% Syrah clone 877, Hill of Graceland.