Lorenza Bechthold Vineyard Cinsault 2023 750ml

Product Info

There are wines that announce themselves with sheer presence, and then there are wines like the Lorenza Bechthold Vineyard Cinsault 2023 that quietly, confidently weave complexity from nuance — a narrative built from the subtle interplay of site, season, and sensitive winemaking.

Terroir
Bechthold Vineyard sits in the southeastern reaches of the Willamette Valley in Oregon, a region best known for Pinot Noir but increasingly treasured for its capacity to nurture delicate Rhône varieties such as Cinsault. The site occupies ancient marine sedimentary soils — a layered tapestry of silty loam, fine clay, and weathered sandstone. This geology imparts a chalky mineral signature and a cool, saline spine that elevates aromatics and lifts texture. The 2023 vintage brought a gentle beauty to Willamette’s growing season: cool, even ripening that favored aromatic development over brute ripeness, tempered warmth that coaxed generous phenolic maturity without sacrificing tension, and well-timed breezes that preserved natural acidity. These conditions allowed Cinsault — a variety that thrives with restraint rather than muscle — to express crystalline clarity and tensile energy seldom seen outside its Mediterranean origins.

Winemaking & Vision
Lorenza’s approach to Cinsault mirrors the quiet integrity of the vineyard: minimal intervention, maximal respect. The grapes are hand-picked in the cool of early morning to ensure pristine condition. Indigenous yeasts carry the fermentation, encouraging a natural unfolding of aromatic layers rather than forced extraction. Gentle whole-berry maceration gives way to a soft press, preserving silken texture and fineness of tannin. Elevage occurs primarily in seasoned French oak and large neutral vessels, where the wine softens and acquires nuance without overt oak imprint. Lees contact is unhurried, adding subtle breadth to mouthfeel while the wine remains lithe and filled with nervous energy. The guiding principle here is clarity — of place, of fruit, and of vine-to-bottle fidelity.

Tasting Notes
From the first inhale, the 2023 Bechthold Vineyard Cinsault unfolds with inviting, layered complexity. Aromatically, there’s a compelling duality: bright lift followed by savory depth. Petite red fruits — wild strawberry, cranberry skin, and raspberry blossom — sit alongside evocative perfumed notes of rose petal, blood orange zest, and cracked white pepper. Beneath the fruit lies a subtle undercurrent of forest floor, dried herbs, and a flinty mineral thread that ties every element together.

On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied yet impossibly light on its feet. Flavors echo the nose but build with greater breadth: sweet pomegranate seed, tart cherry, and whispers of blood plum give way to savory echoes of thyme sprig and cedar shavings. Its texture is silk-and-steel — creamy in the mid-palate but driven by a fine, linear acidity that lifts without tension. Tannins are delicate, more felt as a gentle frame than a structural cage, allowing the wine’s natural buoyancy to dominate.

What distinguishes this Cinsault most is its directional clarity: every sip feels like a continuation of the last, threading energy and poise into a finish that lingers with saline warmth, rose-leaf spice, and a cooling wave of red fruit persistence. This is a wine built for curiosity as much as pleasure — one that reveals more with each swirl and breath.

Food Pairing & Service
The Bechthold Vineyard Cinsault’s striking balance of elegance, spice, and refreshing tension makes it a versatile culinary partner:

• Grilled salmon with herbs and citrus — the wine’s bright fruit and saline texture elevate the richness of the fish.
• Duck breast with pomegranate glaze — its soft tannic frame complements the fruit sauce without overpowering.
• Charcuterie boards featuring prosciutto, sopressata, and mild goat cheeses — the wine’s perfume and acidity refresh the palate.
• Mediterranean mezze — olives, roasted peppers, hummus, and herbed nut mixes play beautifully with the wine’s herbal and mineral notes.
• Roasted beets and fennel salad with citrus vinaigrette — the wine’s acidity and freshness sing alongside vegetal brightness.

Serve gently chilled at 55–58°F (13–14°C) in a medium-bowled red wine glass to best highlight the florals and spice. A brief 15–20 minute rest after opening allows aromatics to fully bloom.