Pax Wines Sonoma Alta Monte Gamay 2021

Now California is getting its act together with Gamay (most of the state’s original plantings turned out to be a grape called Valdiguié and a Pinot Noir cultivar) this grape will be playing an increasing role in the Pax story. This particular bottling is a blend of fruit from two vineyards. The first is the Black-Knight Vineyard located on Alta Monte Road, above the intersection of the Bennett Valley and Sonoma Coast AVAs. Situated on a ranch that dates back to 1880, the soils are volcanic with cobbly clay loams, and the vines are dry-farmed where possible. The second source is the Rancho Coda Vineyard, a very steep, high vineyard (just over 300 metres) above the Russian River Valley. The soils are sandstone with quartz and schist and a layer of sandy clay loam.

Fermented in the style of Beaujolais, this saw 100% whole bunches and was then aged in neutral French puncheons for 10 months.

It’s a delightful and lip-smacking rendition of the grape, with spicy red fruit, impressive focus and fine length.