Cline Cashmere

Wine information: In 1982, on leaving university, Fred Cline returned to his hometown Oakley, Contra Costa County (equidistant between Sacramento and San Francisco) to found the company that would become Cline Cellars There he started producing wines and restoring ancient vines. Today, Zinfandel, Carignane and Mourvèdre produced from these vines are some of the most unique and historic wines made in California - the coming together of the climate, the soil and the landscape are the epitome of Oakley terroir. In 1991, the winery relocated from Oakley to the Carneros region of Sonoma County on a historic 350-acre estate with new vineyards and facilities. While much of the cool Carneros region is planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot, Fred Cline pioneered the planting of Rhône varietals including Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. In 1997, Cline ventured further west into an even cooler growing area in eastern Petaluma and again planted more Rhône varietals.

Cashmere is a silky and wonderful blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Syrah. Contra Costa County provides the lion’s share of the grapes for this blend. Mourvèdre, sourced from 30-year-old vines planted in sand-soil, is dry-farmed and head-pruned to develop fl avorful fruit. Careful attention to Cline's Grenache vineyards in Oakley involve cluster thinning and leaf pulling, which increases fruit concentration. The bulk of the Syrah for the blend is also from Oakley, where the warm days and cool nights result in lush fruit and signifi cant tannins. The individual lots of grapes were harvested separately according to ripeness and balance of acidity. The grapes underwent total destemming and a very gentle crushing to ensure a large proportion of whole berries in the must. Fermentation was carried out in stainless steel with select cultured yeasts at controlled temperatures. The grapes were pressed at dryness then settled for ten days and racked to 25% new French oak with a dark toast level for nine months. The blend is 63% Grenache, 22% Syrah and 15% Mourvedre.

Cline Cellars proudly supports Living Beyond Breast Cancer and over the years has contributed more than $200,000 to breast cancer foundations. Each bottle sold result in a donation.

Tasting Notes: Cashmere is a very flavorful, smooth wine offering big cherry, raspberry and chocolate notes with hints of cracked black pepper and plum.

Reviews: One of the most versatile reds we produce, try Cashmere as an accompaniment to grilled salmon, pork roast or duck.

 
     

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