Located in Santa Rosa California (with a tasting room in Sebastopol), Horse and Plow is winemaker Chris Condo’s “low intervention” project. (He also co-owns Vinum Cellars in Napa.) Horse and Plow sources grapes exclusively from bio-dynamic or organic vineyards, and uses no synthetic nutrients or additives in the wine making process; only a low dose of sulfur is added as a preservative.
White flowers and pear delicately threaded with faint honey notes–shy, simple but fresh aromas.
In the mouth, it’s medium bodied, juicy and round up front, supplanted by a rapid burst of minerality framed by spring water ornamenting the midpalate, evolving to tart lime that persists over a textured, somewhat chalky finish of good length. The wine shows vigorous movement and intensity on the palate.
Playful but with enough flesh to tantalize, this wine throbs with the clanging guitars and jaunty bass on the Beatles “And Your Bird Can Sing”.
Technical Notes: Whole cluster pressed, neutral barrel fermentation, aged on the lees for 9 mos. , grapes sourced from Yountville
Score: 89
Price: $24
Alc: 13.9%
Exploring the Philosophy of Food and Wine 