The nose opens with ripe berries, pomegranate, and leather aromas filling the glass. Subtle savory & baking spice notes flow through the backend of the nose, revealing punchy raspberry, cedar, and tobacco on the front palate. Everything one might look for in a classic Cab Sauv, with a brighter fruit profile. This wine belongs next to your winter charcuterie board. Cheers!
Vineyard
Venturi Vineyard is located just north of Ukiah, in the Calpella Valley, on predominantly Pinole gravelly loam soils. Pinole soils are some of the most sought after soil types in Mendocino County. Containing a mixture of sandstone, shale, and quartz, these deep, well-draining soils were formed from alluvial flows coming down from the towering ranges lining the valley, depositing fist-sized stones along the way. Though it is deficient in organic material, the moderately acidic pH of the soil allows for optimal nutrient uptake, allowing the vines to thrive for 70+ years.
Winemaking
The 2022 vintage was certainly a climactically challenging year as a week-long heat wave above 105 around Labor Day capped off a relatively cool growing season. We were scrambling to get picks on the board and fruit off the vine. However, our trusty, thick-skinned Charbono cruised along during the heat, soaking up the sunshine and further developing its flavors on the vine. The Charbono was our last pick of the year and came into the winery the last week of September. The fruit was 100% destemmed and saw minimal pumpovers during its indigenous fermentation in order to fine-tune its structure. The grapes were pressed at dryness and aged in French oak barrels, 20% of which were new, for 16 months. It was bottled in February 2023 sans fining or filtration.
Specs
100% Charbono
EtOH: 11.50%
pH 3.55
TA: 5.93
FSO2: 30 ppm
TSO2: 91 ppm
Malic: .10 g/L
Production: 214 cases
2022 Kivelstadt “1877” Carignane, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
An intriguingly complex nose at first sniff with loads of blackberry, plum, and green peppercorn. This wine skews from your typical bright and playful Carignane with savory and umami notes leading the charge across the palate, lead blocking for the lush fruit and winter spices on the finish. Quite brooding and dark, this wine wants to be enjoyed in cold weather next to a warm fire. Cheers!
Vineyard
Originally planted in 1877, Oat Valley Vineyard is located just northwest of the town of Cloverdale at the convergence of Alexander and Anderson Valleys and is predominantly on Cole silty loam soil series. The Cole series are deep, poorly draining soils, but because of the soil’s water retention and roots from the 120+ year old Carignane vines that reach deep down to the bedrock, Oat Valley is perfectly suited for dry farming. The vines themselves, head trained and gnarly, produce ~1.5 tons/acre; but as yields have gone down over the years, the concentration and balance of flavors continues to deepen. Under the watchful eye of vineyard manager Brett Domenichelli, these are among the oldest Carignane vines in California!
Winemaking
The 2022 vintage was definitely a challenging year, as a week-long heat wave above 105°F around Labor Day capped off a relatively cool growing season. For many grapes, rapid sugar buildup before reaching physiological ripeness can result in wines that are flashy but hollow on the palate. However, the age of these vines and the relatively thick skin of Carignane helped prepare them. Brought into the winery the first week of September, the grapes were fermented naturally with about 30% whole cluster inclusion. They were pressed when dry and aged for 16 months in 25% new oak. The wine rested in barrel with no racking before being bottled in February 2023 without fining or filtration.
Specs
100% Carignane
EtOH: 14.10%
pH 3.58
TA: 5.87
FSO2: 22 ppm
TSO2: 84 ppm
Malic: .10 g/L
Production: 133 cases
What’s Included
2-bottles:
1x 2022 Kivelstadt “1950” Heritage Vineyard Series Charbono, Mendocino
1x 2022 Kivelstadt “1877” Heritage Vineyard Series Carignane, Sonoma County Case:
6x 2022 Kivelstadt “1950” Heritage Vineyard Series Charbono, Mendocino
6x 2022 Kivelstadt “1877” Heritage Vineyard Series Carignane, Sonoma County
We believe wine, like life, is meant to be enjoyed with friends and food. At Kivelstadt we make honest wine from organic vineyards throughout California. Focusing on farming and minimalist winemaking, we craft wines that appeal to everyone, from casual to connoisseur.
Organic Farming
Nothing influences wine more than the vineyards it’s sourced from and how they are farmed. Organic practices enhance vineyard biodiversity, vine health, and durability. We all inhabit a planet that deserves to be treated with respect, and organic farming will have a longer-lasting impact on the planet than any wine we make.
Minimal Intervention
Minimal intervention in the winery allows our vineyards to speak for themselves and express their individual personalities and terroir. We let the incredible vineyards speak for themselves rather than dominating it with intrusive winemaking techniques. We strive to make no additions, use only native fermentations, and limit new oak to showcase the beauty created by the vine.
Approachability
We love craft made by real people, and the power they give. The winemaking craft is often overtaken by commercial techniques to drive down prices. We pride ourselves on making products that are individual and unique, while maintaining prices that make wines accessible to everyone.
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, PR
@mattykillpatty Same varietals but 2021 are $59/ on the winery online it appears. So half what the front page lists, but still appears a potentially amazing QPR
Always a delight to get a lucky labrat ticket. Reporting for duty in spite of being on dry-ish January. We received the 2022 1877 Heritage Vineyard Series Carignane.
We are not good with tasting notes, but this is nice wine and certainly the best one we’ve received on a lucky labrat ticket. An understated “that wine’s alright” said without hesitation means more than you might think when it comes from the Brit in the household. Blackberry and pepper is what comes to mind both in smell and taste - nose was a little less pronounced on day one than on day two. It could probably have been aired a bit longer or poured through the Vinturi, but we didn’t take the time to do this. Can taste the tannins, so guessing it could age a bit, but we mostly just buy and drink and it’s good for that too.
It’s a good buy, and definitely worth the case price in our opinion.
2022 Kivelstadt “1950” Charbono, Mendocino
Tasting Notes
Vineyard
Winemaking
Specs
2022 Kivelstadt “1877” Carignane, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
Vineyard
Winemaking
Specs
What’s Included
2-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
not for sale on winery website, $1,416/case MSRP
About The Winery
Organic Farming
Minimal Intervention
Approachability
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, PR
Estimated Delivery
Friday, Feb 20 - Monday, Feb 23
Kivelstadt Mixed Reds
2 bottles for $59.99 $30/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $249.99 $20.83/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2022 Kivelstadt “1950” Heritage Vineyard Series Charbono
2022 Kivelstadt “1877” Heritage Vineyard Series Carignane
Uhm…is this any good? The QPR looks like it’s off the charts from the msrp. Rats, roll out!
@mattykillpatty Same varietals but 2021 are $59/ on the winery online it appears. So half what the front page lists, but still appears a potentially amazing QPR
Always a delight to get a lucky labrat ticket. Reporting for duty in spite of being on dry-ish January. We received the 2022 1877 Heritage Vineyard Series Carignane.
We are not good with tasting notes, but this is nice wine and certainly the best one we’ve received on a lucky labrat ticket. An understated “that wine’s alright” said without hesitation means more than you might think when it comes from the Brit in the household. Blackberry and pepper is what comes to mind both in smell and taste - nose was a little less pronounced on day one than on day two. It could probably have been aired a bit longer or poured through the Vinturi, but we didn’t take the time to do this. Can taste the tannins, so guessing it could age a bit, but we mostly just buy and drink and it’s good for that too.
It’s a good buy, and definitely worth the case price in our opinion.
The default specs/notes provided are very thorough.
Looking forward to the lab rat report for the Charbono.