2020 Dewey’s Steel Impulse Red

Region: Suma Kaw + Poor Ranch Vineyards < Mendocino + Sierra Foothills > California

Grapes: 75% Carignan, 25% Syrah

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified organic, dry farming; the Carignan goes in as a rosé, colored up with a touch of Syrah from Sumu Kaw Vineyard; Carignan was destemmed, foot tread, pressed, and then left to ferment in neutral oak: Syrah was fermented 50% whole-cluster. Each lot spent a few months in barrel before being blended up in tank; bottled, unfined and unfiltered, in March of 2021, with no added So2; zero-zero; 60 cases; 13% ABV

Winemaker: Charlie Miller

Dewey’s is a relatively new project from husband and wife Charlie
Miller and Emma Rosenbush. Charlie was formerly the assistant winemaker at Cruse Wine Co (swoon, we love these wines!) and started the Dewey’s label in Michael Cruse’s cellar with a surprisingly delicious Vermentino from the Barsotti Vineyard (which the SF Chronicle called the most memorable bottle of 2020!)  In 2018 when they were offered the opportunity to take a small amount of Cabernet Franc and they jumped at the chance. Charlie and Emma, partner and GM at Cala in San Francisco, pride themselves on letting Dewey’s wines (named after their dog) be their quirky selves and allow the wine to follow the lead of the vintage and what the grapes and soil provide.  Charlie's brother, Riley Miller, does the label art.

This is Charlie and Emma's take on glou glou, about which they say, "Steel Impulse, each year something new, always a fun blend, always light-hearted and enjoyable to drink. We don’t think too hard about it and instead go on instinct. Or is it impulse?"  We're in agreement, no need to overthink it, just chill her down and throw back.  Light, bright, fresh, juicy with crunchy red fruit and a nice earthiness, it's easy and delicious but not simple.  Works with anything from BBQ to picnic to dinner with the in-laws.