Sunce Winery & Vineyard, Alicante Bouschet 2012, Dempel Vineyard, Mendocino County, California

Tasting Note: Whenever I find a rare bottle of Alicante Bouschet I always get it so I can have an indulgent, gamay-reminiscent, floral experience like this.

Medium-intensity ruby in color, this wine has a perfumed, aromatic, medium-plus-intensity nose of red plum, fresh raspberries, dried red cherry, hibiscus, red currant, rose petal and orange blossom.

On the palate the dry, medium-bodied Alicante Bouschet has medium-intensity, red-fruit flavors suggested on the nose supported by medium acidity and slightly-grippy, medium tannin.

Complexity abounds in the midpalate, and the wine completes with a medium-plus finish.

The perfect fall-weather wine to transition from summer into fall.

See review of same vintage tasted in 2018.

Bottle Note: Sunce is an artisan winery located in the Russian River Valley appellation of Sonoma County, specializing in vineyard-designated varietal wines and classic blends. “To find eternity in a grain of sand or a drop of wine.” Only 12 barrels made.