Composition
52% Syrah - Clone 174
39% Grenache - Clone Alban, 224, & 136
9% Mourvèdre - Clone 520
Winemaking Notes
Inattendu is the newest expression of our ongoing love of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. It is a rich Syrah softened by the addition of Grenache and Mourvèdre. An unexpected wine, it was born when we found ourselves so awestruck by the beauty of our Syrah while blending Chemin de Fer, that we just had to give it its own spotlight.
The Inattendu artwork shows train tracks winding through our estates bucolic landscape.
Vineyard Notes
Our original estate was an enclave for the earliest French winemakers in California in the 1890s. Under the care of the Lasseters, it has been painstakingly restored and reimagined with great attention to detail, and is the site of a small, eco-friendly, state-of-the-art winery.
This site benefits from being a warmer area within the valley, but also the narrowest section, resulting in a funnel that concentrates the cool ocean breezes and creates huge diurnal shifts that allow for long hang time and full flavor development with good acid retention.
The Creekside Blocks sit along the east side of Calabazas Creek. With rocky soils over an alluvial fan, they hold the original planting of red Rhône varieties on the property: Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. More recent plantings in the Train Block and Crescent Oaks Block, include Semillon along with additional Mourvèdre and Grenache vines all planted in goblet style.
Stones Throw is the most recently acquired of the Lasseter vineyards and is named for its proximity to Justi Creek Vineyards. This site, just a Stones Throw from our original vineyards, is a natural addition to our estate, given the similar soil types and microclimate. It is being developed to red Rhône Varieties.