Winemaking Notes
At the heart of our estate vineyards, within our Heritage Blocks, is a rare remaining field blend block, originally planted in 1919. It speaks to the regions Italian winemaking history, originally planted by the Mancuso family. It is comprised of 91% Zinfandel, interspersed with single vines including rare heritage varieties: Cabernet Franc, Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah, Grand Noir de Calmette, Peloursin, Lenoir, Merlot, and Mourvédre.
The name, L'Ame du Sage, is a French phrase for the soul of the wise man, paying homage to the century-old vines that produce this richly textured offering luscious raspberry and blackberry flavors entwined with black pepper and spice.
95 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck
Vineyard Notes
Justi Creek Vineyards is our original estate property, located at our winery in Glen Ellen, which was an enclave for the earliest French winemakers in California in the 1890's. 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 Heritage Blocks sit in the warmest location on the estate.
The Heritage Blocks, the warmest location on the estate, include a century-old Zinfandel block that speaks to the Italian heritage of the area. Planted in 1919, it is a classic field blend of Zinfandel and eight other varieties (in descending order: Cabernet Franc, Alicante, Petite Sirah, Grand Noir de la Calmette, Peloursin, Lenoir, Merlot, Mourvedre). Specific blocks were redeveloped in traditional goblet style, including the red Rhône varieties Grenache, Mourvèdre and Counoise, with the remainder planted to Syrah and Merlot.
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