St. Amant, Bastardo Port, Amador County 2019

The Spencers bought a vineyard near Jackson in Amador County in 1970. They planted 30-acres of Zinfandel, followed by 5 rows of Bastardo, Touriga, Souzao, Tinta Cao, & Alvarelhao. St Amant Winery is now in Lodi but they still grow grapes in Amador & buy grapes from a handful of Lodi vineyards. We’ve been a fan of Stuart Spencer’s wines since our 2019 student trip & even earlier. Style: sweet, fortified, red | Grapes: 100% Bastardo (Trousseau) | Soil: sandy loam (well-drained, granitic-based alluvial soils) | Region: western edge of Amador County, surrounded by five lakes that moderate daytime heat | Winemaking: lightly fortified with neutral grape spirit. | Aging: 6 years in 60-gallon oak barrels | Pairs with: Bark n Blue, dark chocolate, & more | Alc: 18.5% | Retail: $35 (500ml)