Relic Wine Cellars "Ritual" Red Blend 2019

The color is a deep ruby red, with flashes of purple and an almost black core. Aromatics of cola, bing cherry, blackberry, blood orange, jasmine, white pepper and sage blast from the glass. The palate is extra juicy this year, with a flamboyant personality and the most refined tannins ever for this cuvée, allowing the layered finish to resonate and blossom.

The 2019 growing season was the perfect compliment to the fruity, fresh 2018 vintage, bringing similar elements, yet a touch more power to the 2019 Ritual. The blend came together easily, resulting in a wine of compelling harmony and suave richness.

Grenache: Frediani Vineyard, head-trained and dry-farmed, gravel soils Syrah: Cortese Vineyard in Coombsville, hillside rocky volcanics Carignane and Petite Sirah: Organic and dry-farmed Old Vines at Alfred Frediani Vineyard on Pickett Road, 1901 and 1939 plantings respectively. Planted in Cortina soils.

All fermentations occur separately in open-topped tanks, with mixed pigéage and pumpovers

19 months in older French Oak barrels, minimal racking