Quench + Temper
Quench + Temper
b-wvineyard-rocks.jpg
s 2021.jpg
color quarry.jpg
 
lp_2018.jpg
 
 

/BÃS/ VINEYARD

ADELAIDA DISTRICT PASO ROBLES AVA

Planted at an elevation of 1400’, the BÃS vineyard is located in the Santa Lucia mountain range on the geological Monterey formation with siliceous shale stone and Miocene marine sediments.  Dry farmed and organic, the vineyard was planted at high density (2,000 vines/acre) and trained in the Échalas tradition found in the Cornas and Hermitage regions of the Northern Rhone valley in France. With a philosophy of more vines per acre but less fruit per vine there is a focus in complexity and concentration in fruit quality. The vineyard was established in 2013 in the heart of California’s 5 year drought. On +45 degree slopes and with no irrigation, the vines represent extreme struggle and resiliency. The vineyard site has a South-East exposure and is within a stone’s throw of an industrial Rock Quarry exposing a 500’ deep cut (excellent soil profile example) into the Mountain side that is commercially mined for shale stone used for road base. 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean creates the extreme diurnal temperature changes of plus 30 degrees for cool nights and warm days.

GRACIANO * MOURVEDRE   *  GRENACHE   *  SYRAH

 

2022 Chapter VI

/BÃS/ VINEYARD * ADELAIDA DISTRICT * PASO ROBLES

70% Grenache * 30% Graciano

The 2022 Quench + Temper Chapter VI sports a ruby/plum hue to go with beautiful aromatics of red and black fruits, spring flowers, pepper, and incense. It’s beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, has fine tannins, and outstanding length. I love it today, and this complex, satisfying, silky Grenache will keep for a solid 10-12 years.

·         Native Yeast Fermentation

·         Non-fined

·         Non-Filtered

2022 LA CANTERA

/BÃS/ VINEYARD * ADELAIDA DISTRICT * PASO ROBLES

70% Graciano * 30% Syrah

Ripe black and blue fruits, spring flowers, sappy violets, and peppery notes all define the aromatics, and its medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a supple, elegant mouthfeel, ripe, integrated tannins, and a great finish.

·         Native Yeast Fermentation

·         Non-fined

·         Non-Filtered

2021 QUENCH & TEMPER GRACIANO BAS VINEYARD

/BÃS/ VINEYARD * ADELAIDA DISTRICT * PASO ROBLES

100% Graciano

All varietal, the 2021 Graciano Bas Vineyard has a big, full-bodied, sweetly fruited style in its red and blue fruits as well as pepper and violet nuances. With a fleshy fruit bomb of a palate, it has Graciano's juiciness and a clean, dry finish.

·         Native Yeast Fermentation

·         Non-fined

·         Non-Filtered

 
 
 
 

QUENCH & TEMPER

Quenching and tempering is the process that strengthens and hardens materials like steel by subjecting the steel to the extremes of heat past the transformation range and then rapidly cooling (quenching) down the steel.  The quenched steel is then returned to the furnace again at a lower temperature to temper the hardness.  This produces a harder, tougher steel that’s stronger than the sum of its parts.  It is this concept that Brennan has applied to his project:  the vines were planted in one of the most severe droughts in the last 500 years, and forced to seek out water in the hillside depths of the rocky Adelaida District of Paso Robles, California.  These extreme conditions of climate and site contribute to the development of strong vines which have been forged out between the anvils of necessity and the hammers of anguish.  Like a phoenix rising from ashes, his wines carry an undertone of renewal and transformation as their struggle becomes their strength.