2010 J. Lohr Gesture GSM

When comparing California wine styles to those of other regions around the world, one theme that emerges is the riper style and generally higher alcohol content of California wines versus Old World wines. The French in particular are accustomed to a climate where chaptalization (adding sugar) is required in most vintages, while California sunshine nearly always assures fully ripe fruit. (Some would say over-ripe.) In the 2010 vintage we saw the coolest daily temperatures in a decade in all our Paso Robles vineyards. We achieved intensely ripe flavors at lower Brix levels than we’ve seen in the past. Grenache in particular benefits from cooler seasonal temperatures, as this aids in color development and preserves the delicate fruitiness in the aroma and finish.