Hiyu Sun Dog 2019

Hiyu 2019 Sundog “Perennial,” Columbia Gorge Red Wine

Winemaker’s note: “We’ve been holding onto this for so long. In 2018 we began to graft what was Arco Iris to a field blend based on Nebbiolo and grapes from Valle D’Aosta including Petite Arvine, Fumin, Cornalin and Mayolet. All of this knowing that it would be incredibly hard to ripen and with the hope that by putting these grapes on the absolute edge of possibility we could make something ethereal and profound. As soon as we tasted the first juice from the fermenter we knew that it was the beginning of something very special. The wines has been aging in a single thick staved 600 liter cask since then and we bottled it last month by hand.”

Grapes: A field blend based on Nebbiolo and grapes from Valle D’Aosta including Petite Arvine, Fumin, Cornalin and Mayolet.

Making of: Grapes are hand harvested, pressed, and aged in a single 600 liter cask for 6 years before being bottled by hand. 

Personality: “It is the most high pitched, perfumed, etched and detailed of all of our wines,” says Nate. “After all that time in wood it feels almost as fresh as when it was pressed having just gained a more cloud like texture from the time in wood. This is not for everyone. It has more in common with the wines of Burgundy and the Jura than with modern wines from Piemonte. It’s closer in style to pre-war Volnay or Overnoy Poulsard than Conterno.  It is 11.5% alcohol and very high in acidity. But for those for whom  transparency, detail, surreal length and uncompromised complexity are more important than overt texture there are very few wines that can do what this does.”