Description

Bonterra Equinox California Red Blend 2020

Twice a year, the sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in a day and night of equal length. These occurrences are referred to as “equinoxes,” and the twin lengths of day and night when they occur are among the many ways nature demonstrates balance. At Bonterra, we strive for a similar natural balance in our organic vineyards and in our wines. Equinox Red celebrates this vision, offering supple notes of juicy red and black fruit matched with a patina of intriguing spice, herb and oak tones.

“This is our newest addition to the Bonterra red wine lineup. We love crafting single varietal expressions, but we had a blast putting this blend together. Much like cooking, with this blend we were able to add our favorite “ingredients” in the form of our best organic varietals. I hope you enjoy drinking it as much as we enjoyed crafting it!”

California | Crafted from Certified Organically Grown Grapes

VINEYARD NOTES

A nod to the sun’s twice-yearly journey across the celestial equator—which gives us a day and night of equal length, or an equinox, each fall and spring—Equinox Red honors the many ways nature demonstrates balance. The fruit for this wine was sourced from organic vineyards throughout California, including Paso Robles, Mendocino and Lodi regions. Some of our organically farmed estate sites are represented in the blend. The 2020 vintage was a truly exceptional vintage in these regions, with ideal conditions to allow slow, even development of both flavor and color.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Harvested in mid-October, the fruit for this blend was destemmed and gently crushed before a long, slow fermentation in stainless steel tanks that extracted the beautiful dark cherry color and purple hues in the wine. Merlot and Petite Sirah fermented separately to allow their signature characteristics to emerge before blending. The wine aged for six months in a mix of new and neutral French oak barrels.

TASTING NOTES

Merlot and Petite Sirah merge in a terrific combination of red and black fruit flavors wrapped in richness, power and plush, ripe tannins. Sweet, ripe plums, black currant and licorice fill the mouth and wash over the mid-palate with mouthwatering richness and a touch of grip. Hints of dried herbs and lightly toasted oak lend extra layers of intrigue and complexity in the nose and on the
palate. Equinox Red will age gracefully for an additional five years.

TOTAL ACIDITY: 0.55 GRAMS/100ML

pH: 3.78

RESIDUAL SUGAR: 0.40 GRAMS/100ML

ALCOHOL: 14.6%

California Certified Organic Farmers