Alcohol:         14.3%

    Fermentation:         The syrah and grenache were fermented in stainless steel tanks.  Full

                                  malolactic fermentation for all varietals was completed in 59 gallon oak

                                  barrels.

     Barrel Aging:          Aged 24 months in a mix of 1 to 5 year old French oak barrels.

  Residual Sugar:          Dry

Cases Produced:         1,400 cases of 12/750 ml bottles plus 4 cases of 6/3 L bottles

Winemakers Notes:

This is our darkest colored and richest flavored wine.  The aromas and tastes are of ripe plum and licorice with bursts of red cherry.  This is eminently enjoyable and will improve and gain complexity in the bottle for 5 to 8 years after the vintage date. 

We challenged ourselves to make a Syrah that is full flavored, rich and complex without being heavy or needing many years of cellaring before being enjoyable.  We blended in Grenache for “middle fatness” and the soft tannins to accomplish this.  The various lots were aged for 24 months in a mix of one to five year old French oak barrels which gave this wine a mellow, smooth texture while preventing too much new oak from dominating. Grapes were sourced primarily from the Russian River Valley for rich mouth-feel and spicy/plumy character.

 “Showing rich, fruity concentration and good balance, this is an appealing Syrah.  It’s full-bodied and very soft, with cascades of red and black cherry flavors and a mocha mousse finish.”
 –Wine Enthusiast