Linne Calodo : Perfectionist 2016

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Perfectionist 2016 by Linne Calodo

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep and intense red hue.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity with notes of dark fruits (blackberry, blackcurrant), accompanied by herbaceous, earthy and peppery nuances. Mineral and spicy touches (cinnamon) complete this elegant and nuanced bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, this wine captivates with its supple and voluptuous character while maintaining remarkable elegance. The texture is refined with fine tannins that structure the palate without ever overpowering. Flavors of dark fruits (blueberry, blackberry) blend with earthy, herbaceous and mineral notes. The finish is long and lingering, leaving an impression of complexity and harmony.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs perfectly with grilled meats such as lamb, braised meats, game as well as dishes rich in mushrooms and olives. Its structure and freshness also allow it to pair beautifully with charcuterie and aged cheeses.

An elegant and complex Paso Robles wine, a pure expression of the Willow Creek District terroir

The estate

Founded in 1998 by Matt Trevisan and Justin Smith, Linne Calodo has established itself as a pioneering estate in Paso Robles, California. Now led by Matt Trevisan, owner and winemaker, the estate spans 54 acres of vineyards in the Willow Creek District. Linne Calodo played a major role in the rise of Rhône variety blends in the region. The estate stands out for its nature-positive viticulture philosophy, a non-certified yet rigorous approach that prioritizes biodiversity, no-till farming and responsible agriculture. Matt Trevisan personally manages every aspect of production, from vine to bottle, embodying an artisanal and committed vision of viticulture.

The vineyard

The Perfectionist 2016 comes from the estate's vineyards located in the Paso Robles Willow Creek District, approximately 11 miles from the Pacific Ocean. This area benefits from a strong maritime influence with regular fog and cool temperatures that extend grape ripening. The vines are planted on soils composed of limestone and schist, promoting beautiful natural acidity and mineral structure in the wines. The estate's plots sit between 1,030 and 1,050 feet in elevation, in a cool zone where ripening can be delayed by two weeks compared to higher-elevation areas. The vineyard is managed according to nature-positive farming principles, with no tillage, cover crop management through sheep grazing and manual interventions.

The vintage

The 2016 vintage benefited from favorable weather conditions in the Willow Creek District, allowing slow and gradual grape ripening under the influence of sea breezes and regular fog. These cool conditions helped preserve high natural acidity while developing optimal phenolic maturity, a sought-after characteristic for this wine.

Winemaking and aging

The Perfectionist 2016 was crafted using a distinctive method that prioritizes purity of expression. The three grape varieties were co-fermented as whole bunches in concrete tanks, with spontaneous fermentation using indigenous yeasts. This approach promotes the integration of components and aromatic complexity. The wine was then aged for 18 months exclusively in concrete tanks, with no oak contact whatsoever. This choice preserves the expression of fruit and terroir without any oak influence, while benefiting from the thermal regulation properties of concrete that enhance mineral expression. After aging, the wine was bottled and then refined for an additional year before release.

Grape varieties

Syrah (74%)
Mourvèdre (17%)
Grenache (9%)