Nose
Generous aromatics;
blueberry, black currant, white pepper and savory notes of pancetta introduce a wine that is big‐
boned and bold, yet complex and nuanced.
Palate
Unfolding in layers of blackberry, plum and dried herbs,
the palate is still brooding but declares itself with authority, finishing long with firm tannins and notes
of cedar and spice.
Growing Conditions
The 2007 growing season was preceded by a mild, dry winter. Bud break came
early and set a crop of tight clusters of small berries. Summer brought ideal weather with warm,
even temperatures through veraison. Several heat spikes in August suggested that crush might
begin early but temperatures cooled in early September, allowing ample time for phenolics as well
as sugars to reach optimum levels. The result was a slow, steady harvest of exceptional quality, with
wines showing great intensity and structure.
Harvest
Hand‐harvested grapes.
Bottling
Unblended, unfined and unfiltered; bottled April 2009.
Winemaking
Fermented in small, open‐top stainless steel fermentors with indigenous yeasts
5‐day cold soak, 19 days total maceration
Hand‐punched cap
Concurrent, spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrels
Aging
Aged 18 months in French oak barrels; 67% new.
Appearance
This syrah commands attention with a dense, black garnet hue.