Wines Current Joseph Phelps Vintages Current Freestone Vintages Past Phelps Vintages Rhône-Style Wines Library Wines
	BLEND & GRAPE SOURCES: This year's Red Pastiche is blended primarily from Grenache and Syrah HARVEST DATES: Oct. 7-17, 2002 WINEMAKING DATA: Grapes were harvested at an average 24.5° Brix and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The blend was then divided into two lots, with 80% aging 10 months in two- to three-year old French oak barrels and 20% resting in large oak uprights. The lots were blended together and bottled in March, 2004. This approachable red wine combines generous, red, spicy fruit aromas with extractive ripe berry flavors and is a perfect choice for barbecues, stews, and spicy-styled dishes. The 2002 vintage began much drier and cooler than 2001 and by the end of April we measured an average of 6 inches less rain than during the first quarter of the previous year. Consistent warmth throughout the summer, along with 20 days of morning fog for both July and August, resulted in vine development running at full efficiency — shoot and leaf growth was strong and vine canopies were entirely filled with leaves to capture the sun's energy. In September the weather pattern changed dramatically. High temperatures and dry north winds caused vine physiology to respond with an increase in sugar and a drop in acidity. Fortunately, the summer months had promoted remarkably strong color and flavor development, enabling healthy vineyards to withstand the September heat wave and ripen to full maturity.
The Winery | Wines | Shopping | News and Events | Links | Phelps Preferred | Contact us | Home