Mighty Nimble

Fruit Tramp

v. 2011

Fruit Tramp is an homage to my family history. During the Dust Bowl, my ancestors followed crops across the country, harvesting fruit and vegetables all the way from Arkansas to California in search of a better life. These “Fruit Tramps” were the original migrant farm workers. They later became farmers themselves, growing cotton and melons, and instilling upon me a set of values based on the moral virtues of hard work and diligence.

This wine is made by machine picking all four varieties on the same night, into the same fermentation vessel. A long cold soak, natural fermentation, and aging in neutral French oak barriques lets the personality of the fruit shine through.

Jeb Dunnuck’s thoughts on 2011 Fruit Tramp:
Starting with the reds, and a blend of equal parts Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Grenache Blanc, the 2011 Fruit Tramp is a gorgeously pure, ripe effort that delivers loads of richness and depth without ever seeming heavy or cumbersome. Black raspberry, licorice, spice and hints of green herbs all show and this medium to fullbodied beauty has a voluptuous texture, sweet tannin and a great finish. Enjoy it over the coming 4-5 years. Drink now-2018. 91 points.

Rock Candy

v. 2011

All grown by Hilary at her estate property, The Ohana Vineyard, the Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre in Rock Candy are fermented separately and blended shortly before bottling. The same fermentation process applies here: a long cold soak, followed by natural fermentation and aging in neutral French oak barrels for 22 months before bottling.

Jeb Dunnuck’s thoughts on 2011 Rock Candy:
Silky and polished, with beautiful purity, the 2011 Rock Candy checks in as a blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre. Exhibiting plenty of ripe black raspberry, new leather, crushed flowers and creamy licorice, it hits the palate with a voluptuous, creamy texture and ripe, chalky tannin on the finish. It is a sexy red that should impress over the coming 4-5 years. Drink now-2018. 91 points.

Small Black

v. 2011

Picked in early November 2011, Carver Vineyard Cabernet was destemmed into a brand new Garonnaise French Oak puncheon where it cold soaked for 8 days before beginning a natural fermentation. The juice in the barrel was punched down and pumped over the “Small Black” berries for a total of 21 days before being pressed and put back into the same puncheon in which it fermented. The barrel was topped with Ohana Vineyard Syrah and aged for 22 months before being bottled in early Summer 2013.

Jeb Dunnuck’s thoughts on 2011 Small Black:
More structured, yet a touch less integrated and charming, the 2011 Small Black is a rock-solid blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah. It possesses deep, rich aromas and flavors of red and black fruits, leather, licorice, sage and hints of liquid smoke as well as a full-bodied, decadent feel on the palate. With sweet tannin, solid mid-palate depth and juicy acidity on the finish, it should continue to drink nicely through 2018. Drink now-2018. 89 points.