Happy MAHAlidays
Includes one bottle each of our MAHA 2022 Before Anyone Else, 2021 Understory, and 2021 Backlit, and a tasting certificate for two for our flagship tasting room experience. Shipping included.
2022 Before Anyone Else
"Oops, I did it again Baby..." - Austin Powers
100% Clairette Blanche. The MAHA Clairette continues to move from strength to strength, vintage to vintage. In 2022, it stood up to 12 days of over 100 degree temperatures without falling apart, much like Grenache. Fermented in a selection of French and Hungarian barriques and puncheons (33% new) with batonage (lees stirring) weekly through fermentation and then monthly for the remainder of its 20-month elevage (aging). Striking aromatics of pineapple, peach, and quince emerge from the glass, transitioning to a rich and textural palate of almond flour cake, grilled salted nectarine, and candied citrus rind before finishing with a salty and savory edge that compliments its generous fruits. A real crowd pleaser! Drink 2024-2030
"All Clairette that spent 20 months in 1200-liter Hungarian cask, the 2022 Before Anyone Else sports a medium gold hue to go with a beautiful nose of ripe citrus, crushed pineapple, mint, and spicy wood. This carries to a medium-bodied, concentrated white that's beautifully balanced, has integrated acidity, and a great finish."
93-95 pts - Jeb Dunnuck
"The 2022 Before Anyone Else is remarkably pretty. A savory bouquet blends almond paste with mint leaf and sage before giving way to sliced nectarines. Crispy mineral-laced orchard fruits offset nearly oily textures in this this soothingly round and supple Clairette Blanche. It finishes perfumed and with a sour citrus tinge, just medium length yet spicy."
93 pts - Vinous Media
2021 Understory
34% Grenache, 33% Carignan, 33% Mourvèdre. Some friends who have had sneak peeks of this wine are calling it the best Understory to date. I have to agree, it is DELISH! Native yeast fermented with 20% whole clusters in concrete and stainless steel with a variety of pump overs and punch downs depending on desired extraction for 20 to 36 days. Basket pressed into a selection of French barriques and puncheons (15% new) then aged for 20 months. The nose is lively, displaying notes of wild berry tart with graham cracker crust, sweet thyme, orange peel, and dried cranberry. It transitions to an exquisite palate full of red fruits, wild cherries, white pepper, and cardamon. The finish is energetic and seamless and goes on forever…Do yourself a favor and double down on this one, your friends will thank you! Drink 2025-2040
"The 2021 Understory is composed of nearly equal parts of Grenache, Carignan, and Mourvèdre. Rocking levels of black raspberries, ground pepper, liquid violets, and some leather notes all emerge from the glass, and this beauty is medium to full-bodied and deep, rich, and layered on the palate, with no sensation of weight or heaviness."
98 pts - Jeb Dunnuck
"The 2021 Understory is a blend of 34% Grenache, 33% Carignan and 33% Mourvèdre vinified with 20% whole clusters and matured for 20 months in 15% new French oak. It has gregarious aromas of cassis and boysenberry, plus slowly blossoming, detailed nuances of tar, blood orange and cured meats. The medium-bodied palate offers Goldilocks ripeness, a finely chalky texture and bursts of fresh acidity that enlivens its perfumed fruit. Effortlessly balanced and youthfully latent, it will be long lived in bottle."
96 pts - The Wine Advocate
2021 Backlit
50% Syrah, 17% Mourvèdre, 17% Carignan, 16% Grenache. This is a classic example of an iron fist in a velvet glove, a real beauty! Native yeast fermented with 20% whole clusters in concrete and stainless steel with a variety of pump overs and punch downs depending on desired extraction for 20 to 36 days. Basket pressed into a selection of French barriques and puncheons (15% new) then aged for 20 months. The nose boasts notes of macerated blueberries and huckleberries, local sages after a rain complicated with orange pekoe tea and Lupine flowers. The palate is evocative and bassy with black fruits, vanilla bean, black licorice, and violets, finishing with ripe balanced tannins and tremendous texture. A wine for thought and reflection. Drink 2025-2040
"The 2021 Backlit is an effortlessly balanced, expressive blend of 50% Syrah, 17% Mourvèdre, 17% Grenache and 16% Carignan. Matured for 20 months in 33% new French oak, its oak spice is already well integrated into a core of cassis fruit on the nose, and it offers continually blossoming accents of iron, prosciutto, milk chocolate and thyme. The full-bodied palate is concentrated yet not over the top in terms of ripeness. It has a support of chalky tannins, energetic acidity and a very long finish laced with pure violet tones. It will be long lived in the cellar."
96+ pts - The Wine Advocate
"A more Syrah-dominated effort, the 2021 Backlit is a blend of 50% Syrah and the rest nearly equal parts Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Carignan. Ripe darker berries, peppery herbs, violets, and exotic floral notes all define this beauty, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a layered, concentrated mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish."
95 pts - Jeb Dunnuck