Birichino Rokurokubi & Inugami 2022

Birichino Rokurokubi & Inugami is a Rhône-inspired red blend built from three very old Californian vineyards, reaching from Contra Costa and Lodi to the Central Coast.

Little Big Block in Contra Costa, a sandy site of old bush Mourvèdre at the edge of the San Joaquin River, usually leads this blend. In 2022 it delivered so well that Locke and Krause rebalanced everything around it, and Cinsault from a head-pruned, dry-farmed, organically managed Lodi vineyard planted in 1886 took the largest share at 48 per cent, with Mourvèdre at 29 and Grenache at 23. The Grenache comes from 1910 plantings in the Besson vineyard in Santa Clara Valley. Each batch fermented wild and separately with 10 to 20 per cent stems, then eight months in old wood before blending and bottling unfined and unfiltered. The label borrows from an Edo-period Bakemono Zukushi handscroll.

Darker and more brooding than its stablemate Scylla: black cherry, dried fig, garrigue herbs and a peppery, earthy finish over gently chewy tannin. Serve at 16 degrees. Lamb kofta, grilled eggplant, or a slow-cooked shoulder.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.