2020 LXV The Tempo
Merlot & Cabernet Franc
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Experience:
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LXV’s 2020 the Tempo – Inspired by Kunal’s Love for the Right Bank of Bordeaux
The Tempo is a blend of 57% Merlot and 43% Cabernet Franc – a true Right Bank-inspired Bordeaux blend style. Right Bank Bordeaux Blends are one of Kunal’s favorite inspirations because you guessed it… you can bet that there will be some Cabernet Franc in the mix.
The Right Bank of Bordeaux is largely dominated by Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with some Cabernet Sauvignon sprinkled into the mix. The soils on the right bank are going to consist of more clay, so the wines from the right bank tend to be silky and elegant with deeper darker red fruit notes throughout the nose and palette. For more information on the left versus right bank of Bordeaux – check out our latest LXV blog.
Two Different Expressions of Fruit from a Single Site
All the fruit is coming from Preston Vineyard located in the Templeton Gap District of West Paso Robles. The vines are trained in a quadrilateral system which creates a concentrated and expressive grape. The fruit we get from this property retains the acidity nicely.
The Winemaking Behind LXV’s 2020 the TEMPO
The grapes were harvested within the first week of October 2020. The lots were fermented from a range of 15-21 days. After fermentation, the wine was aged in French Oak barriques and Puncheons for 18 months (25% New Oak).
Tasting Notes
Because of the acidity the grapes have from Preston Vineyard, the wine is vibrant. Notes of baking spices like cardamom and berry pie give you a feeling of holiday time. The wine is gamey but with a savory edge to go with the fruit that is less upfront than the Secret.
LXV tasting room educator, Kacia, says that tasting the Tempo is “like walking through an herb garden and delicately picking lavender, thyme and oregano with a hint of freshly watered earth.”