Neyers Vineyards Bruce's Journal
Tim Fish Writes on California Rhône-Style Reds
By Bruce Neyers
Wednesday 21st September, 2022
Neyers 2019 Sage Canyon Red: A Top Value in ‘The Wine Spectator’
Tim Fish had an excellent piece on California Rhône-Style Reds in the October 15 issue of ‘The Wine Spectator’ and the 2019 Sage Canyon Red from Neyers Vineyards had a prominent spot in his article. Here’s what Tim had to say:
“Ripe blackberry and huckleberry flavors mingle with olive and sage notes. A terrific mix of fruity and savory elements. Carignan blend.” 92 POINTS – Tim Fish
Tim included in his article a category entitled ‘Top Values’, and the Neyers Sage Canyon Red was the highest rated wine of the 13 wines in this category.
The blend of the 2019 Sage Canyon Red is 50% Carignan, 30% Mourvèdre, 15% Grenache and 5% Syrah.
A fully-ripened, ready-to-pick cluster of Carignan from a 140-year-old vine on the Evangelho Vineyard in Oakley, near the Carquinez Straits. A normal California vineyard planted to this variety might yield 10+ tons per acre. The crop here is rarely more than 2 tons per acre, and the wine is more flavorful as a result.
An end post in the Evangelho Mourvèdre Block 8 vineyard provides background information on the planting date, the variety — Matero and Mourvèdre are interchangeable — the parcel size, and the vine spacing. The term ‘own-rooted’ refers to the fact that the vines are not grafted onto Phylloxera-resistant rootstock, but were planted directly on their own roots. This practice was possible in the Oakley area years ago because the sandy soil restricts the mobility of the Phylloxera bugs, and prevents them from destroying the vine’s roots.
Neyers Sage Canyon Red Wine
