# Wicked Garden (2021)

- **Producer:** Michi Loren
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Syrah, Grenache
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €35
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackberry, plum, black pepper, violet, raspberry, liquorice, vanilla, smoke, chocolate, cloves, leather, tobacco, forest floor

## About this wine

Wicked Garden is the flagship red blend from Michi Loren, a passionate winemaker based in the sun-drenched hills of Paso Robles, California. Michi Loren established their boutique winery with a vision to craft expressive, terroir-driven wines that reflect the unique character of the region. The name "Wicked Garden" is an homage to the untamed beauty of their vineyards and the complex, layered personality of the wine itself. This particular vintage showcases the producer's dedication to quality and their philosophy of minimal intervention, allowing the fruit to speak for itself while benefiting from careful cellar practices. Michi Loren's wines are known for their depth and intensity, capturing the essence of Paso Robles' warm days and cool nights.

## Interesting facts

- Michi Loren, the winemaker, began their career as a landscape architect, inspiring the 'Garden' theme in their wine's name.
- The 'Wicked' in Wicked Garden refers to the challenging, rocky soils of Paso Robles that stress the vines, leading to concentrated fruit flavors.
- Only a limited production of approximately 500 cases of Wicked Garden are crafted each year, making it a highly sought-after wine.
- The distinctive label art for Wicked Garden is a unique, hand-drawn illustration commissioned from a local Paso Robles artist.

## Food pairing

The robust body, pronounced fruit, and firm tannins of Wicked Garden demand rich, savory dishes that can stand up to its intensity. Proteins with a good amount of fat, such as grilled red meats or slow-cooked lamb, will help to soften the wine's tannins, creating a harmonious balance. Earthy flavors from mushrooms or truffles will complement the wine's complex savory notes, while a touch of sweetness in a dessert pairing can highlight its fruit character.

## Wine making process

The grapes for Wicked Garden are meticulously hand-harvested from select vineyard blocks, ensuring optimal ripeness and fruit integrity. Upon arrival at the winery, the Syrah and Grenache are co-fermented or fermented separately in small, open-top fermenters, often utilizing native yeasts to enhance complexity and regional character. A gentle maceration period extracts color and tannins without over-extraction. The wine then undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged for approximately 18-24 months in a combination of new and seasoned French oak barrels. This aging regimen allows the wine to integrate its flavors, soften its tannins, and develop a nuanced aromatic profile before being bottled with minimal fining or filtration.