The grapes for the NEW vintage of The Duel come from the Lucas and Lewellen’s “Los Alamos Vineyard” here in Santa Ynez Valley. This wine has two distinct varietals, that tell the “story” of The Duel blend. Dolcetto vs. Petite Sirah!  Locked in a battle of equals, both grapes form an exciting and highly complex wine layered with rich fruits and supported by dark berries, spice, and balanced tannins. Every vintage we use different grapes, but we always choose varietals that are thick-skinned, bold, and full of dark berry flavors.

The 2018 is no exception! It’s big and bold. The Dolcetto is fermented on it’s own in stainless steel tanks and then transferred to French Oak barrels for 6 months. The Petite Sirah is also fermented separately, and then barrel aged for 6 months. Before bottling, they are blended in a settling tank, and filtered.

Dolcetto is an Italian grape, traditionally grown in the Piedmont region in northern Italy. Ironically, the name means “little sweet one.” Nothing sweet about the Duel though! Dolcetto is also grown throughout California, though it is much more rare than grapes like Cabernet or Pinot Noir.

Petite Sirah is a French grape, though it is also grown in California. It is usually used for blends, and it’s uncommon to see a 100% Petit Sirah, though some producers do make it on its own. Currently, California and Israel are the two places that produce the highest quality Petite Sirahs worldwide.

Smells Like: Blueberries, dark chocolate, “baking spices” nutmeg, anise, and a hint of pine. Tastes Like: Blackberries, blueberries, plum, caramel, black pepper.

Recommend For: People who like Cabernet, or “big reds” with lots of flavors and tannin.