Dens Clavus Tempranillo 2021
by Tooth & Nail Wine Co
Members Only
This wine is exclusive to members of our Wine Club. We invite you to join, and enjoy the many benefits of being a member. » Our Wine Club
A special selection of six barrels from the Tooth & Nail estate, showing what is possible from Paso Robles Tempranillo; crafted exclusively for members
Grapes: Tempranillo
Aromas: Black raspberry, plum, dark chocolate
Flavors: Earthy dark fruits, truffle, tobacco leaf
Texture: Dense, saturated and seamless
Winemaking: Fermented in concrete and aged for 18 months in 30% new French oak barriques; meticulous small-batch winemaking
Vineyard: Sustainably grown at the Tooth & Nail estate in the Willow Creek District
Production: Only 125 cases produced
Deep saturated hues in the glass are a precursor to this wine’s measured intensity. Aromas of black raspberry, plum, cherry and dark chocolate anticipate hints of creamy vanilla. The palate is broad and engulfing, exploding with dense flavors of dark fruits, truffle, chaparral and tobacco leaf. The entire experience is marked by seamless layers of earthy richness and elegance, all concluding with a full-bodied flourish. An ultra-limited statement wine that shows what is possible from Paso Robles Tempranillo.
The Tooth & Nail estate in the westside Willow Creek District features an ideal terroir for growing world-class Tempranillo. Warm summer days are moderated by brisk coastal breezes that rush through the Templeton Gap each evening, bringing tempo and length to the growing season. The limestone-rich Calodo soils allow for the retention of acidity and energy in the fruit, while the presence of shaly clay provides the type of natural moisture regulation. Calcareous-clay soils are the mark of premier terroirs worldwide, providing context for the potential of the Tooth & Nail estate.
The fruit was selected from the west-facing hillside of Block 2, where we applied meticulous viticultural practices to maximize fruit quality. The grapes were hand sorted, gently destemmed and transferred to concrete tanks for cold soaking and fermentation. Concrete was chosen for its ability to moderate fermentation temperature and duration while cultivating fine texture. Half of the wine was fermented in a square concrete tank, while the remainder was fermented in a concrete sphere.
The sphere naturally provides a gentler extraction, ultimately bringing enhanced freshness and reach to the wine. After fermentation, the free-run juice was reserved for maturation in 30 percent new French oak barriques coopered by Seguin Moreau (medium plus toast) and Ermitage (medium toast). After 18 months of undisturbed aging, the finest six barrels of the vintage were chosen and blended to create this small-batch Tempranillo. Small contributions of estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Adelaida District Petite Sirah were incorporated into the final blend for enhanced structure and color. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Complimentary shipping is offered with orders of $100+ within the U.S., excluding Alaska and Hawaii. For express orders, fees are determined by speed, weight and destination. Please note, someone 21+ must sign for wine deliveries.
Weather conditions (extreme heat or freezing temperatures) create challenges for shipping wine. If the forecast temperatures at the shipping address are a concern, your order may be delayed. If you would like your order shipped regardless of weather conditions, please email service@toothandnailwine.com
Unfortunately at this time we are unable to ship to the following states:
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma (on-site only), Rhode Island (on-site only), South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia.
Sustainability is at the core of what we do. It is our way of doing right by the land that gives us so much. It also means being a good steward of our people, community, and winery culture.
- We farm our vineyards with organic practices
- We utilize hand labor for weed abatement as an alternative to herbicides
- We practice deficit irrigation as a means to conserve water and heighten fruit quality
- We pledge 1% of profits to “1% for the Planet” — a global initiative to benefit the environment and help grow a better world
Dens Clavus Tempranillo 2021
“Unbelievably rich and elegant”
Cherí, Wine Lover
Winemaker's Pairings
Jeremy Leffert – Director of Winemaking
Eating
Spaghetti and homemade meatballs
Listening to
"Temple" by Thao, Thao & The Get Down Stay Down
Reading
"The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde
Watching
The Peripheral