Besson Grenache 2023

If there was a signature wine that exemplifies the style of the Birichino estate, it is this one. The Besson vineyard was planted in 1910, and the fruit of its over 100 year old vines produces this astonishing 100% Grenache. The combination of old vines , low yields , natural fermentation, 12 months of aging in old oak barrels and the absence of filtration produces a fragrant, prismatic wine, full of subtlety. This wine impresses on multiple levels. The aromas of red berries , wild strawberries , dried thyme , cranberry , raspberry and pomegranate are both rustic and refined. The palate is framed by fresh acidity and delicious minerality that give depth to the flavors. Far from the over-oaked and overly concentrated Californian style, this wine demonstrates fabulous balance and great finesse.

In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors to California that boosted the California wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Sonoma and Napa region. At the start of the 20th century, there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933 Prohibition destroyed the vast majority of the California wine industry so that by 1933, only 140 wineries remained producing wine. It was only from 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition and California was primarily known for the production of fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous estates were created (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc...). In 1976, a significant event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgment of Paris". He sees the greatest French wines opposing the new American wines. This May 24, an unexpected result shakes the world of wine, since to everyone's surprise, it is the United States which wins. However, this competition remains relatively unknown to the general public. Today, there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. Even though California largely monopolizes the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and the state of Washington offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon.