Lone Madrone - 'Adams Ranch Vineyard' - Cinsault - "Willow Creek District, Paso Robles", CA - 2024

@lonemadronewines

Notes from the Winery/Importer

30% Whole Cluster, Partial Carbonic Maceration. Neutral Puncheons 12months

Notes on the Producer

Lone Madrone is a (nearly) thirty year old family run Paso Robles operation started by an English family of kitchen and restaurant folks. Now into the 2nd generation the wines have branched out from just Paso to all over the California coast searching for new and inspiring sites. Cheers!

Grapes & Style

Cinsault

Cinsault is a Mediterranean red grape with a long history in southern France, North Africa, and parts of the eastern Mediterranean. It’s often used in blends, especially with Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Carignan, but it can also make beautiful varietal wines when treated gently.

In the vineyard, Cinsault is productive, drought-tolerant, and well suited to warm, dry climates. Because it can crop heavily, quality depends on thoughtful farming and restraint. It has also been important historically as a table grape and as a parent of Pinotage, the South African cross with Pinot Noir.

In the glass, Cinsault tends to be pale, fragrant, and easy on its feet, with red fruit, flowers, spice, and soft tannins. It’s often used to bring perfume and lift to blends, but the best standalone versions are lovely precisely because they don’t try too hard. Light, fresh, and quietly aromatic is usually the sweet spot.