2023 Tilth Old Vine Red Blend, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County
93 Points, Decanter
The Wine
The 2023 Old Vine Red Blend from Sonoma Valley marks our first bottling with winemaker Keith Emerson. A bold, muscular old-vine red blend, this wine layers black cherry, blueberry compote, and blackberry with hints of sage, spearmint, and violet. Rich oak tones of vanilla, mocha, and espresso frame the supple dark fruit, while a thread of stony minerality adds depth. Velvety tannins build to a powerful, lingering finish.
The Vintage
Napa Valley saw approximately 40” of rainfall over the winter of 2022/2023. The 2023 grape growing season began two weeks later than the five year average as a result of the cooler and wetter than average winter and early spring. The vines had an ample amount of water without being over saturated, shoot growth was steady, flowering and fruit set were also two weeks later than usual, and veraison did not take place in most vineyards until mid-August. Growers and winemakers, at that time, knew that they were in for a long, late harvest. Patience was the name of the game for the 2023 vintage. Early ripening varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc were mostly picked in early to mid-September (as opposed to late August) and the Cabernet harvest lasted until November 10th. Mother Nature was extremely generous in 2023 as the weather stayed moderate and the sun kept shining, thus allowing the vines to slowly ripen their clusters. The yields were bountiful and the wines are extremely dark in color (reds), full of aromatics, opulent, rich and juicy. There is amazing acid structure and fully developed tannins across the board for the red varietals. The whites are fresh and delicious as well. The 2023 vintage will go down as one of the greatest, most unique vintages in quite some time.
Specs
Varietal Blend: 36% Petite Sirah, 26% Zinfandel, 25% Syrah, 6% Souzao, 3% Grenache, 4% Other (field blend of Cabernet Franc, Alicante, Grand Noir de la Calmette, Peloursin, Lenoir, Merlot, Mourvedre)
Appellation: Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County
Harvest Date: Sept 18th - Oct 20th
Harvest Brix: 22.8-26.2
Aging: 18 months, 40% new
Total Acidity: 5.9 g/L
Alcohol: 14.3%
pH: 3.75
Winemaker: Keith Emerson
What’s Included
3-bottles:
3x - 2023 Tilth Old Vine Red Blend, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County
Case:
12x - 2023 Tilth Old Vine Red Blend, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County
/tilth/ noun: the state of aggregation of a soil especially in relation to its suitability for crop growth
The defining element of our portfolio is the fruit we source – and the relationships that flow from our connection to the land. We’ve learned that vineyards and cultivated lands have a spirit and voice all their own – and our purpose is to see and to listen – and through those efforts find the vines and grapes that are uplifted through the intention and the labor of passionate growers that tend to the earth itself… —and that’s TILTH.
We choose our grapes based on what we feel would be a true lens through which we view California’s vast and diverse agriculture. Every year our picking decisions are based on multiple factors; a combination of weather, location, acidity, fruit development, and an overall authenticity in the fruit that has to be tasted to describe. That essence supersedes all of the agronomy that we use as a supporting role in this decision, and defines the potential of each harvest, every year. There is no formula, just a vision that varies from vintage to vintage.
Simplicity is key in our cellar. Most of the work has already been done by the time the fruit arrives at the winery. During fermentation decisions are made on a daily basis on whether to punch down or pump over in an effort to guide the grapes through a healthy fermentation with as little intervention as possible. We age every wine in oak barrels, some new, but mostly old barrels seasoned by time that allow for a more authentic expression of the sites we work. The wines are left to develop with patience and trust, with minimal racking over the course of one to two winters before bottling.
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
2023 Tilth Old Vine Red Blend, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County
93 Points, Decanter
The Wine
The Vintage
Specs
What’s Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$780.00/Case for 12x 2023 Tilth Old Vine Red Blend, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County at Tilth Wines
About The Winery
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
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Apr 27 - Tuesday, Apr 28
2023 Tilth Old Vine Red Blend
3 bottles for $84.99 $28.33/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $254.99 $21.25/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Looks like a sleeper winery. Hoping for rattage.