Pax Mahle - 'Fanucchi-Wood Road' - Rosé of Trousseau Gris - Russian River Valley, Sonoma, CA - 2020

Notes from Pax: Picked earlier than previous versions, this 2020 is all about delicacy and lightness, freshness and verve, approachability and deliciousness. A crisp lightly pink wine you will want in your glass while eating oysters overlooking the ocean or snacking on potato chips gazing into your television, and every other opportunity in between that calls for a smile. 100% Trousseau Gris 100% concrete fermentation w/ indigenous yeasts and bacteria Partial Stainless Steel and neutral French Oak Èlevage 3.33pH 12.5% 400 cases produced Tasting Note: Stone fruit, quince and delicate floral aromas remind me a little of the 2012 but this 2020 is singular in its color, flavor and spirit. The lowest yield we have encountered produced a wine firm with concentration and the early harvest date yet kept the electric acidity in place. Clean crisp and delicious, we think you should drink this immediately to appreciate the vibrancy that these wines show on release. —- Pax and Pam moved to wine country in 1997 to pursue careers in wine. After a few years of tasting and sourcing wine from all over California for [Dean & Deluca](https://www.deandeluca.com/), Pax made the decision to start his own brand from a vineyard with which he felt a kismet connection. [Alder Springs Vineyard](http://www.alderspringsvineyard.com/) was the site, and after finding an investor to help realize the dream, Pax Wines launched in 2000. The Mahles made a bold choice by favoring the “[untapped potential](https://drinkinsider.com/2018/05/the-rise-of-california-syrah/)"  of the Syrah grape. Their entire lineup of wines came from cool climate vineyards in  Sonoma County and Mendocino. These wines were big, rich expressions of Syrah that went on to be highly sought after. As a result, Pax quickly became established as one of [California’s premier producers of Syrah.](https://www.viticolewine.com/pax-syrah-hills-are-alive/) Presently, Pax Wines has evolved to include new and exciting varieties in addition to Syrah. This includes Trousseau Gris, Chenin Blanc, Gamay Noir, and Mission, along with a host of others recently planted.  At Pax Wines winemaking is approached holistically. This is done by taking care to use only grapes that are grown without the use of chemicals and by hand making their wines with as little intervention as possible. As a result, all of their wines are crushed by foot and hand, and fermented using only natural yeasts. To taste these wines visit the urban winery and tasting room in the outdoor [Barlow](https://thebarlow.net/) market in [downtown Sebastopol](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pax+Mahle+Wines/@38.4038532,-122.8236736,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x808430a7bd135a05:0xaa56a52b981e30f1!8m2!3d38.403849!4d-122.8214796).