2022 Juicy, Gamay Noir, El Dorado County, Barsotti Vineyard

Are you ready for the hot goss? Because it’s about to get JUICY up in here.

A rarity for Tank: We’re going single-varietal, and it’s one of our favorite varietals around, Gamay Noir. Originating from Burgundy, this grape is pure wine royalty when it comes to producing light-bodied, delicate, and subtle reds that keep on giving as you keep on drinking. And in California, we knew that for Gamay, we could only turn to one of the coolest of the cool-kid vineyards, and that is the Barsotti Vineyard in El Dorado County.

Located at 2,800’ elevation about the adorable small town of Placerville, Gamay was planted here in 2005, and the conditions are ideal for growing this precious fruit. The Vineyard blocks on site slope slightly towards the American River Canyon, where they catch the cool breezes from the nearby, snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains, and the climate reflects warm bright days that turn into crisp evenings, helping the grapes ripen slowly and meticulously. On top of that, the soils here are decomposed granite: mimicking similarities to the terroir of Gamay’s home region of Beaujolais, France. Seriously, if you want the juicy and bountiful long-lasting expression of this classic grape, this is where it’s at.

In the glass, Juicy unveils a captivating cherry red hue, hinting at its vibrant and lively character. On the nose is an enticing dance of strawberries, rhubarb, and cranberries, mingling with a slight hint of wet river rocks. This sensory experience transports you to the vineyard, where the marriage of the Gamay grape and illustrious granite soils create their magic. As you drink, the flavors envelop your palate with a tapestry of luminous flavors: red apples, sweet pomegranates, tangy, zesty cranberries, and a distinct presence of lingering minerality to balance it all out. The body is a perfect testament to the classic expression of Gamay – light and graceful, with a strong backbone of medium-bodied acidity, and a vibrance and liveliness that persists through each sip. After its beautifully lingering finish, you’ll only be thinking one thing “pass me the juice.”

To gain full appreciation for its complexities, this wine is best served just below room temperature. We’d recommended throwing it in the fridge for about 10-20 minutes before cracking it open to start digging into the goods.

Juicy is awesomely versatile when it comes to food. Get adventurous! It would be killer paired with Peking duck bao buns, or a savory/sweet Kung Pao chicken. If you want to keep it simple, it’s a beautiful accompaniment to roasted vegetable or stewed beans, with it’s medium bright acidity cutting right through rich textures and flavors. We also think it would shine brightly with Thai laarb and an accompanying green papaya salad.

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