Ruth Lewandowski Wines 2021 'L. Stone Zero' Sangiovese, Fox Hill Vineyard, Mendocino County

Item Number: 19519

UPC: None

Country: USA
Region: California
Sub Region: Mendocino
Appellation/AVA: Mendocino County
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vineyard Designation: Fox Hill Vineyard
Vintage: 2021
Grape(s): 100% Sangiovese
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 13.9
Viticulture: Practicing Organic
Soil Type: Alluvial, rocky sandy clay loam derived from sandstone
Elevation: 650 feet

Tasting Notes by Evan Lewandowski: “Fox Hill is an incredible vineyard site and has proven it's merit in numerous ways with numerous producers in both red and white format. But for die hard Sangiovese fans; those that love the leather, the book shelf, the dried cherry, the licorice spice and baked earth...all that density and levity and taut structure, new world versions rarely stack up and often disappoint. 6 years into making this wine, and I’ve never thought crushed stones as a tasting note. Sure it’s got all that l.stone luxardo cherry and baked red earth and leather (think boulevardier) but peeking out around the edges after a bit of air is this crazy lil’ beguiling whiff of wet river rocks.”

Fermentation: Whole cluster maceration; 25% of the fruit underwent an extended maceration of 5 months
Temperature Control: No
Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
Aging: 10 months in Flextanks (polyethylene egg/cube), one year in neutral puncheons

Vineyard Notes: As a young man, Lowell Stone fell head over heels for Italy, particularly it’s wine culture. In the late 80's, he took to replanting the entire property, converting it over from mostly Chardonnay and Riesling to many obscure Italian varieties (with a few acres of two Portuguese varieties thrown in for good measure). Today, it's a library of grapevines from nurseries, friends, and the odd 'suitcase' cuttings. Fox Hill rests between Hopland and Ukiah just up from the Russian River on benchland called the Talmage Bench. Uplifted former riverbed, Fox Hill is predominantly sandstone based – very rocky and pebbly, with a large amount of quartz. Evan Lewandowski farms his plots with Sam Bilbro. Sam and Evan make up Wild Ruth Farming, a collaboration that focuses on holistic farming practices that reduce the use of chemicals and pesticides.