MATHIS

BEST IN CLASS/DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNER at the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition | The flagship wine from the Mathis Vineyard, now in its 19th vintage!  The 2018 Grenache is a red fruit festival, headlined by raspberries and ripe Bing cherries. A lively freshness and a supple texture make the 2018 a superb food wine as well as a standalone drinker. The ferment included substantial amounts of whole cluster, uncrushed grapes which had a wonderful impact on the fruit profile. Every row of this beautiful Estate Vineyard is farmed by Peter Mathis since 1997!

PRODUCTION NOTES

VINTAGE: 2018 
APPELLATION: Sonoma Valley 
VARIETAL(S):
  83% Grenache
  9% Petite Sirah
  5% Carignane
  3% Alicante Bouschet
VINEYARD: Mathis Vineyard 
HARVEST: September 16-23, 2018
AGING: 20 months in neutral, 100% French Oak Barrels
ALCOHOL: 14.3% 
CASES: 579 
pH: 3.6
TA: 5.7 g/L

TASTING NOTES

Juicy red fruit, led by raspberry, Bing cherry and pomegranate, highlight the 2018 Mathis Grenache. The usual Mathis spice notes of pepper and a hint of thyme, along with some sandalwood aromas add complexity, nuance and length. At the table, the ’18 vintage is texturally tremendous for food pairing, with just the right amount of tannins and a fabulous burst of bright fruit acidity. We’re loving the 2018 in the Mathis household!

FERMENTATION

The Grenache, augmented by small amounts of Petite Sirah, Carignane and Alicante Bouschet, were harvested together in mid-September and co-fermented in one 6-ton tank and two 1.5-ton bins. About 25% of the grapes were uncrushed (whole cluster) in the tanks, which led to the bright, signing red fruit profile of the 2018. Wild yeasts were used in the ferments. The must was pumped over twice each day in the larger tank, with the maceration augmented by two délestages mid-ferment. This is a “rack-and-return” technique where the juice of the tank is drained out, leaving the skins, then returned, allowing for thorough extraction. The 1.5 ton bins were punched down by hand 2 to 3 times per day. All three lots were pressed at dryness after an average of 12 days on the skins.  

GROWING SEASON

A drought year, but with healthy Spring rains coming after mid-February, the vines got off to an excellent start - late season rain being the most important in shallow hillside soils like Mathis. Fruit set was good in spite of the rains, and yields were above average. Lengthy hot spells in mid-summer sped up ripening and we had to rush to get the everything harvested. Overall, a very good growing season that resulted in excellent, bright, fresh and approachable wines.

CELLARING

Drinking very well at release, its fresh acidity, supple tannins and juicy red fruit make it immediately accessible. I expect it to evolve and improve at least through 2025 and likely well beyond.

ACCOLADES

BEST IN CLASS/DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNER - 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition