2019 Crane Assembly Red Wine Disciples
Regular price $49.98
90 James Suckling - Powered by effusive, super-ripe, late-harvest fruit flavors, this jammy-tasting wine is packed with dried cherries and dried plums and topped with creme de cassis on a very full body with high alcohol. The tannins seem softened by all the ripeness for a smooth texture.
45% Zinfandel, 17% Petite Sirah, 14% Charbono, 10% Merlot, 6% Syrah, 6% Grenache, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Pouring a vivid cardinal into the glass, the 2019 Disciples is replete with aromas of cranberry compote, Rainier cherry, Staedtler graphite pencil and Mendocino forest floor - the combination of redwoods, sorels, sun and ocean spray. Upon entry, the wine exudes a bright and lively character with notes of ripe raspberry, red fruits and subtle toasted oak. The wine closes at length with soft fine tannins and an inviting hint of vanilla. - Winery
***
The tale began in the early 1850s when Dr. George Beldon Crane set sail around South America before landing in San Francisco in 1852. After spending three years in the Santa Clara Valley, he settled in St. Helena in 1855 where he purchased 300+ acres. This was where Crane’s vision inched closer to reality. It was said that growing grapes of any kind in this region would be a ludicrous effort, however, Crane’s determination would soon tell otherwise.
Nested in the alluvial fan of the Mayacamas Mountain range in southern St. Helena, it is believed that here is where G.B. Crane first established grapes on the site back in 1858 where he was set to produce wines that would rival the best in the world. He began his mission by introducing Napa to Vinifera (European) Varietals. Although records are scarce, it was most likely planted as a field blend commonly known as “mixed blacks”. This field blend traditionally consisted of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignan, and a smattering of lesser-known grape varieties such as Alicante Bouschet, Mourvedre and Valdiguie.
Of the 6.5 acres in production, there is a 1.3-acre block of Cabernet Sauvignon, a .9-acre block of Petite Sirah, two rows of Merlot, and approximately 4 acres of Crane’s original plantings (1885, post phylloxera) and younger (1930) “mixed blacks” plantings. This four-acre block has been continuously farmed for nearly one hundred and sixty-five years by a number of different people.
From the GB Crane estate, two wines are produced, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a field blend born from G.B. Crane’s original plantings named El Coco. In addition to the two estate wines, a third wine, a zinfandel blend from heritage vineyards found throughout the Napa Valley named Disciples.
