2022 Newfound Gravels Red Wine California 750 ml

Matt Naumann is a Grenache whisperer. 

Tapping hidden-gem vineyards around Northern California, he’s wielding the grape with total finesse, coaxing out its delicate, ethereal side in wines that are as complex as they are flat-out enjoyable. And with the Grenache-based 2022 Gravels, he’s put his mastery on full display. 

This wine finds the equilibrium between savory depth and delicate vibrancy. Antonio Galloni called it “a gorgeous, beautifully balanced wine,” with “lovely textural depth” in his 92-point review, while Jancis Robinson said it’s “really fun to drink and positively lip-smacking in its elegance.” Ruby-toned and aromatic, it shows cherry, raspberry, violet, mint, and tobacco on the nose, with silky tannins and vibrant acidity on the palate. 

The blend’s foundation is 60% Grenache from the Cemetery Vineyard, a well-draining site bordering the Russian River Cemetery in Mendocino, where dry-farmed vines yield concentrated grapes. Then there’s 21% Carignan from 75-year-old vines in the Colombini Vineyard, which contributes freshness and levity. Finally, 14% Mourvèdre from the cool Placida Vineyard in the Russian River Valley lends the wine aromatics and texture. 

Before he and his wife Audra began Newfound in 2016, Matt had winemaking stints in Lodi and Napa Valley, and he spent ten years at the renowned Failla in Sonoma. Now, he splits his time tending their own five-acre vineyard in the Sierra Foothills, serving as president of Dwyane Wade’s wine label, and making the Newfound wines that Antonio Galloni says he can’t recommend highly enough. 

The only blend in his lineup, Gravels is a prime example of Matt’s philosophy: Take thoughtfully farmed vineyards, less-common California grape varieties, and a low-intervention winemaking approach, and come away with an elegant, vivacious, wonderfully balanced wine.