2018 Onesta Cinsault, Bechthold Vineyard, Lodi, California
Tasting Notes
This is an atypical rich and intense Cinsault that explodes strawberry rhubarb pie in the glass. The 2018 vintage was a dream year for a winemaker, with excellent weather yielding a perfect grape harvest. The ancient vines produced a Cinsault with great concentration – lots of juicy black cherry, rhubarb, and plum, with notes of vanilla from extended barrel aging.
Vineyard
The Bechthold Vineyard is the oldest vineyard in the Lodi region, planted in 1886. It is the oldest Cinsault vineyard in the world! The old vines are head-trained, organically grown, and dry-farmed. Winemaker Jillian DeLeon was introduced to this vineyard in 2001 and has been working with the fruit ever since. The Onesta block is on the east side of the vineyard where the vines produce the most concentrated fruit in the whole vineyard. The perfect recipe involves gentle handling, saignée, cold soak, raging fermentation, extended maceration, and 18 months of aging in neutral French oak barrels.
(San-soh) a high-yielding, early-ripening, hot-weather red grape, generally used in blends. Cinsault tends to be low in tannin, and is often added to blends to add a spicy component. Not often found as a varietal bottling. Cinsault is the “king” of grape varieties in Provence Rosé winemaking. Its large juicy berries produce elegant mouthwatering dry Rosés, for the sophisticated palate. Among the grape’s claim to fame is being half the genetic cross (along with pinot noir) behind the South African Pinotage grape. Cinsault came to California in the 1860s, but total planting in 2004 was only 144 acres, producing a mere 672 tons.
Food Pairings: Grilled pork tenderloin, roasted chicken, margarita pizza, smoked baby back ribs, chocolate cake, or Thanksgiving dinner.
Specs
Varietal Blend: 100% old vine Cinsault from the famous Bechthold Vineyard
Appellation: Lodi
Barrel Regime: 18 months aging in neutral French oak barrels
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 300 cases
pH: 3.62
TA: 5.8
RS: dry (under 0.2)
What’s Included
3-bottles:
3x 2018 Onesta Cinsault, Bechthold Vineyard, Lodi, California
Case:
12x 2018 Onesta Cinsault, Bechthold Vineyard, Lodi, California
Jillian found her passion for wine while studying neurobiology at UC Davis. Home brewing introduced her to the magic of fermentation, and after taking the “Introductory to Winemaking” class at UC Davis, she quickly switched her major to Viticulture and Enology. She graduated with her degree in 2001 and soon thereafter found herself as an intern at the famous Bonny Doon Winery.
Her desire to learn more about winemaking has taken her around the globe. To gain essential winemaking experience in a short time, Jillian traveled to the southern hemisphere to work an additional harvest each year. For three years she traveled south to learn how to work with different varieties and observe different winemaking styles. She did internships in McLaren Vale (South Australia), Margaret River (Western Australia), and Stellenbosch (South Africa).
Syrah quickly became her deepest passion and she returned to Bonny Doon as Associate Winemaker in 2005, focusing her talents on the Rhone varieties that the Dooner is known for. She played a major role in the transition to biodynamic winemaking at Bonny Doon. Now a truly seasoned winemaker, Jillian has started her own passion project, Onesta. Her artistic expression is manifested in her wines. Jillian’s wines speak the truth of each growing season and each vintage is a new adventure for her, riding the waves of Mother Nature. Her promise to herself and her customers is to deliver wines with personality and depth every year. Jillian’s wines are made with passion and love, just like she lives her life. Her hope is that every sip of Onesta will ignite the soul with passion and enthusiasm for living life to the fullest.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
The last offering (Nov 2021, the Cinsault/Cinsault Rose split) was wonderful and we have the last bottle of the 2017 Cinsault squirreled away - this is a somewhat higher price point, so I’ll wait for the rat report, but looks like a no-brainer to me - the Onesta offerings have never disappointed.
OH-OH! I received a bottle of the 2018 Onesta Cinsault (pronounced sin saw) on Friday, but no email or notice indicating when it was going to be offered. I’ve never had this varietal, so I did some preliminary internet research. This grape produces wine that is dry, medium to light bodied, low tannins and medium acidity. Suggested pairings include stews, pork, chicken, smoked seafood, roasted veggies and lamb. Ok, so at least I have an idea on what to expect. I chilled the bottle in my temperature-controlled basement (always in the 60’s for temp and humidity).
On Sunday for dinner, just taking a chance, I decided to grill Italian seasoned rack of lamb, to make risotto and to saute green beans with bacon. Pop-n-pour, against a sheet of white paper, the color of the wine is just like gelatin cranberry that comes in a can. It is clear and even colored from the center to the edges. I had trouble discerning a specific aroma profile. Even after a first taste, it was difficult to determine a predominant taste. The wine is a little dry and medium bodied with low tannins and medium acidity. So the research was right on. After letting it rest 30 – 45 minutes, also the time it took to make dinner, I could now pick up a little tart cherry, some red currant and a finish similar to either citrus or tea. It paired very well with everything for dinner. While this seems like a modestly ramped up pinot, it held up well to strong food flavors. I could see it going well with all of the suggested food pairings. I came back and tried this wine again after it having been opened for two hours and I would say the flavors remained the same with a little raspberry sitting in the background. BTW, while some tasters have found this wine to reveal black pepper, rhubarb and ripe strawberries, I did not. In all, it’s tasty, easy to drink and pairs well with a wide range of foods.
@jmdavidson1 I had a little left in the bottle from yesterday, so I checked it out. Today I’m picking up some pomegranate, along with prior flavors. How ironic that I can be a lab rat, but there is no shipping to IL.
Received this wonderful wine Friday night and let it rest until Sunday to rat and report.
Upon first uncorking and a small pour, the wine is light and we did not detect any heat with the first sniff. Decent legs after the first swirl in the glass. First sip showed some cherry, was very light on the palate, medium bodied, and very little tannins. We then let the wine decant for an hour while we prepped the kitchen for our Sunday football tradition of homemade pizza and grilled wings.
After letting the wine breath for an hour more cherries, some red currant, and a little strawberry and blueberry. The tannins stayed mellow throughout the bottle, and it is very slightly dry. We agree with the other rat that the wine does come across as pinot-like, this was a fantastic bottle of wine. My wife was so impressed that we are in for two cases, especially after seeing the price this morning. An absolute steal of a deal, if you are into light tannin, food friendly, medium body reds.
I just asked about a Cinsault offering about a month ago and here it is ! Thanks.
Last offering I split the case with my neighbor, not making that mistake again.
Ordered a case because my Sam’s Club youth has conditioned me to bulk savings. But have not much room in the cellar. So if anyone north/northwest Indiana or southwest MI would like half, just let me know.
Thanks for all the fun comments everyone! The 2018 Cinsault is my favorite vintage so far, lots of red fruit, hints of sexy French oak, and velvet tannin. The bottle disappears too quickly once we pop the cork.
Always love Onesta Cinsault…would have bought a couple of cases if we hadn’t been displaced by Hurricane Ian and not in any place to receive or store wine….
2018 Onesta Cinsault, Bechthold Vineyard, Lodi, California
Tasting Notes
Vineyard
Specs
What’s Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$480.00/Case for 12x 2018 Onesta Cinsault, Bechthold Vineyard, Lodi, California at Onesta Wines
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Nov 21 - Wednesday, Nov 23
2018 Onesta Cinsault
3 bottles for $64.99 $21.66/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $189.99 $15.83/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
The last offering (Nov 2021, the Cinsault/Cinsault Rose split) was wonderful and we have the last bottle of the 2017 Cinsault squirreled away - this is a somewhat higher price point, so I’ll wait for the rat report, but looks like a no-brainer to me - the Onesta offerings have never disappointed.
#DMV split interest? Bunny all ears…
Any Atlanta friends interested in a split?
@winstoncharles Did you get any? I have a case, can spare a bottle or two if you want
@nostromo_ Would be very grateful if you’re willing to part with any amount of your case!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings).
2018 Onesta Cinsault - $70 = 26.91%
Previous offering for the 2015 vintage
@diman Only? 119 comments last time!
Likely due to The “Rona”, lol
Also the 2017
Midlands SC - Anyone interested in a split?
OH-OH! I received a bottle of the 2018 Onesta Cinsault (pronounced sin saw) on Friday, but no email or notice indicating when it was going to be offered. I’ve never had this varietal, so I did some preliminary internet research. This grape produces wine that is dry, medium to light bodied, low tannins and medium acidity. Suggested pairings include stews, pork, chicken, smoked seafood, roasted veggies and lamb. Ok, so at least I have an idea on what to expect. I chilled the bottle in my temperature-controlled basement (always in the 60’s for temp and humidity).
On Sunday for dinner, just taking a chance, I decided to grill Italian seasoned rack of lamb, to make risotto and to saute green beans with bacon. Pop-n-pour, against a sheet of white paper, the color of the wine is just like gelatin cranberry that comes in a can. It is clear and even colored from the center to the edges. I had trouble discerning a specific aroma profile. Even after a first taste, it was difficult to determine a predominant taste. The wine is a little dry and medium bodied with low tannins and medium acidity. So the research was right on. After letting it rest 30 – 45 minutes, also the time it took to make dinner, I could now pick up a little tart cherry, some red currant and a finish similar to either citrus or tea. It paired very well with everything for dinner. While this seems like a modestly ramped up pinot, it held up well to strong food flavors. I could see it going well with all of the suggested food pairings. I came back and tried this wine again after it having been opened for two hours and I would say the flavors remained the same with a little raspberry sitting in the background. BTW, while some tasters have found this wine to reveal black pepper, rhubarb and ripe strawberries, I did not. In all, it’s tasty, easy to drink and pairs well with a wide range of foods.
@jmdavidson1
@rjquillin OK. So, it’s san-so. Merci beaucoup.
@jmdavidson1 I had a little left in the bottle from yesterday, so I checked it out. Today I’m picking up some pomegranate, along with prior flavors. How ironic that I can be a lab rat, but there is no shipping to IL.
@jmdavidson1
Shipping, yes; sales, well, that’s different…
@jmdavidson1 Two rat bottles in 12 days??!!! Lucky you!
Anybody in Queens buying? I’d take a couple or a few.
@InFrom I’m in Manhattan but I’d be willing to go in on a case. 3-4 bottles.
@demonbane @InFrom I can go in on a case. I am in Manhattan and Queens.
@demonbane @InVinoVeritas Can we talk logistics? I find I’m rarely in Manhattan anymore.
This stuff is so good.
Sounds like a fun try for Thanksgiving. In for 3, though I’ll probably regret not buying the full case.
/giphy barred-navigable-chimpanzee
@gemeinschaft79 yes you will!
/giphy regret
Received this wonderful wine Friday night and let it rest until Sunday to rat and report.
Upon first uncorking and a small pour, the wine is light and we did not detect any heat with the first sniff. Decent legs after the first swirl in the glass. First sip showed some cherry, was very light on the palate, medium bodied, and very little tannins. We then let the wine decant for an hour while we prepped the kitchen for our Sunday football tradition of homemade pizza and grilled wings.
After letting the wine breath for an hour more cherries, some red currant, and a little strawberry and blueberry. The tannins stayed mellow throughout the bottle, and it is very slightly dry. We agree with the other rat that the wine does come across as pinot-like, this was a fantastic bottle of wine. My wife was so impressed that we are in for two cases, especially after seeing the price this morning. An absolute steal of a deal, if you are into light tannin, food friendly, medium body reds.
Anyone in the Mpls/St.Paul area want to split
@Heyjude1 i would take a couple bottles. I am in Blaine
@Heyjude1 Fridley here. Interested.
I just asked about a Cinsault offering about a month ago and here it is ! Thanks.
Last offering I split the case with my neighbor, not making that mistake again.
Love me some Cinsault - an absolute sleeper of a variety . . .
The previous Rose offering was fantastic and I need some sweeter reds for family. In for a case.
/giphy cheesy-minimalist-limit
Ordered a case because my Sam’s Club youth has conditioned me to bulk savings. But have not much room in the cellar. So if anyone north/northwest Indiana or southwest MI would like half, just let me know.
OK, I’ve heard enough …
/giphy tilted-suppressed-pasta
Thanks for all the fun comments everyone! The 2018 Cinsault is my favorite vintage so far, lots of red fruit, hints of sexy French oak, and velvet tannin. The bottle disappears too quickly once we pop the cork.
I still have some 2013, 2015, and 2017 Onesta Cinsault, plus some Tercero Cinsault, so I REALLY don’t need this, but I wants it!
/giphy gollum
Always love Onesta Cinsault…would have bought a couple of cases if we hadn’t been displaced by Hurricane Ian and not in any place to receive or store wine….
@rpm This note earlier just might have made this a SO.
@rjquillin I’m quite surprised it wasn’t!