By Alienor Cellars
Grand Vin 2009

Grape Source
All grapes for Alienor Grand Vin are from Kelseyville. The Merlot clone 181 is from Rooster Vineyard and planted on well-drained clay loam. The Cabernet Franc clone 312 and a suitcase selection from Bordeaux were planted in 1999 on gravelly loam resolved from sedimentation along the bench of Kelsey Creek. The Petit Verdot was planted at Quercus Ranch in 2002, also located near the Kelsey Creek, where the soil consists mostly of loam with some gravel interspersed.

Vinification
As usual, respect of the fruit is our objective. Hand-harvested, entirely hand-sorted on our state-of-the-art sorting tables, de-stemmed, and crushed prior to a 5- to 7-day cold-soak at 35-40 degrees F. The fermentation then takes place in temperature-controlled five-ton fermenters for 15 days with pump-overs twice a day. The wine is barreled after a 2- to 3-week extended maceration monitored by daily tastings. The aging occurs in approximately 75% new French oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels. We do not fine nor filter the wine prior to bottling in order to keep it as expressive and balanced as possible.

Tasting Notes
The 2009 Alienor Grand Vin has a dark ruby color highlighted with a blue hue. In the glass, a sensation of ripeness, lush blueberries, dark cherries, and fig accompanied by a floral touch of violets, together with a great crushed rock-like minerality and notes of chocolate and cocoa powder. This lively and concentrated wine shows well-balanced curves, a good body, a mouth-feel of well-coated tannins, and a long silky finish.

Technical Notes
Harvest: October 23 to 27
Blend: 51% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Aging: 24 months in 75 % new French oak barrels
Alcohol: 13.80%
[Information provided by Matador Vino]

2009 Alienor Grand Vin (Lake County)
Points: 91
From Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, this Right Bank Bordeaux styled blend pops with smoke, stone, oak, black cherry and blue fruits, sweet, lush, ripe and round [...]. The wine shows nice freshness and sweet cherries in the finish.
Tasted Aug 23, 2013

2009 Grand Vin Red Wine Lake County
Producer: Alienor
Place of Origin: United States, Other California
Color: Red
Grape/Blend: Bordeaux Blend
Rating: 90
From: Focus on California's North Coast (May 2012)
Reviewed By: Stephen Tanzer on May 2012
(13.8% alcohol): Medium cherry red. Raspberry and red cherry on the nose, plus a whiff of adhesive tape. Supple, smooth and moderately concentrated, showing a slightly herbal quality but a pliant texture to its red berry flavors. Finishes with rather easygoing, ripe, dusty tannins, a continuing herbal element, and good savory persistence.

Alienor 2009 Grand Vin Red (Lake County)
Rating: 89
Price: $65
Designation: Grand Vin
Variety: Bordeaux-style Red Blend
Appellation: Lake County, Lake County, California, US
Winery: Alienor
Alcohol: 13.80%
Bottle Size: 750.00 ml
Category: Red
Date Published: 7/1/2012
Reviewed by: Virginie Boone
Alienor Grand Vin hails from Kelseyville, in Lake County, a fine place for Bordeaux varieties. A blend of 51% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, this is highly structured with a lot of herbal intensity. The typical fruit forwardness of many California reds is subdued; the wine may need time for the fruit to make its way through.