Lodi

Cork

Rosé

Counoise is a rare grape, not only in California but even in France. It's one of the many varietals in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, mostly blended, but lately I have found a few examples of single-varietal bottlings from California, and they often deliver a great experience. Raft is making this wine from the Claypool family, who farms organically on Lodi's west side, where deep sandy loam soils and cool Delta breezes keep things fresher than you'd expect from an inland region — the vines were originally Zinfandel, grafted over to Counoise in 2016. The 2023 vintage shows a beautiful translucent, luminous soft red, like pomegranate juice held up to the light. There's a savoriness to its aromas, a hint of spice from white peppers and dried herbs, plenty of juicy red berries, and a touch of blood oranges. The palate is light and lively — the grapes are fermented carbonically, then aged in neutral oak — with lots of tart red fruit, citrus peel, and a herbal thread running through. The acidity is high and refreshing, and the texture has a gentle grip (think of chewing pomegranate seeds). I usually say this about Jennifer Reichardt wines, but this is a genuinely fun and delicious bottle.

Counoise

Raft Wines, Claypool Vineyard Counoise, Lodi, California, USA, 2023

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Counoise is a rare grape, not only in California but even in France. It's one of the many varietals in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, most

Raft Wines, Claypool Vineyard Counoise, Lodi, California, USA 2023

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