Levo, 'SPOT No3,' G2 Vineyard, Syrah, Willow Creek, California, 2019

Overview of the Wine
The Central Coast of California is a blessed region, naturally endowed with diverse microclimates that produce wines of exceptional power and density. Levo works to showcase the richness of our terroir while still maintaining delicate varietal specificity, electric acidity, immense tension, and perhaps most importantly a sense of levity or lift in the glass. It is our belief that wine has an innate ability to elevate experience, whether that be a special moment with family, celebration or a fine meal.

2021 marks winemaker Bret Urness’ 10th vintage. He continues to craft microlots in a warehouse located in Tin City, Paso Robles, California. His aim is to keep production low so he can personally shepherd each barrel along and maintain complete quality control. Levo does not have an annual case production, as we bottle only the best barrels in the cellar. Whatever doesn’t make the cut is not included in our final blends.

Levo is honored to be working with many talented Central Coast farmers, who maintain some of the very most sought-after plots of dirt in California. This includes Ruben Solorzano of Stolpman, Kimsey, Harrison Clarke and Rancho Boa Vista in Ballard Canyon AVA as well as Michael Larner of Larner Vineyards. We are also honored to be working with the likes of Bill Gibbs, owner of G2, McMahon family of Fulldraw, and Carl Bowker at Caliza in Willow Creek AVA.

Winemaker
Bret Urness

Grape / Blend
93% Grenache, 4% Petite Sirah, 2% Syrah, 1% Clairette Blanche

Origin
Willow Creek, Central Coast, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
In 2019 we were very lucky to work with the famed G2 vineyard in Willow Creek AVA. It is named aptly, as it sprawls among steep calcareous hillsides fit for nobody but a mountain goat or a very abused grapevine. Our old block Syrah was pruned to perfection. We picked it early to preserve freshness and vibrancy and received enough grapes to fill one measly fermenter. Fortunately, our neighbor and good friend Jacob Toft had one extra ton that was picked a week or so after ours. This fruit was riper and more dense and flamboyant. This lot also got its own small fermenter. The wine that made it to bottle is a blend of the early pick and the later pick, which gives this wine lots of layers and complexity. It is a savory Syrah that opens up with aromas of oak forest and dirt, pure black fruit, and floral elements emerge with air. On the palate, it has an amazing fine-grained chalky texture, as if you were licking a calcareous rock that the grapes were grown upon. It is a magical wine that speaks to the place it was grown. It really doesn't get any better than this.

95 Points - CT

Product size: 750ml