Balletto’s estate Burnside Road Vineyard is located in the hills southwest of Sebastopol, ten miles inland from the Pacific, within reach of its cool fingers. Fruit was fermented with ambient yeast in open top tanks, and the wine was raised in French oak, one-third new.
It’s a brilliant ruby-raspberry color, quite youthful looking, with a perfume of ripeness, spice, and sweet red fruits. The palate reflects this, too, its pomegranate and raspberry notes fringed with Christmas spice. The tannins are, as expected from such a location, demure, so the piquancy of its other acids frame the flavors and finish.
Straight and shiny now, it might elaborate with some bottle age. Try it with lightly spiced cuisine.
13.7% abv | $42 (sample), 580 cases made
