Product Overview
Winery's Notes:
"Our 2020 Syrah is sourced from one block at Donnachadh Vineyard. Block 2B is clone 174 and sits high atop the vineyard hill and is more exposed to the elements. The fruit here struggles to ripen relative to our other Block 5 (Estrella Clone on own-rooted vines), which is located down the hill and sees a bit more heat throughout the day. A heat spike in early October led us to decide to pick in the early morning of October 5th. We used 1/3 whole cluster in our final blend, which helped develop the black pepper and spice characteristics that are typical of cooler climate Syrah. We bottled the wine after 8 months of aging in neutral oak barrels.
The resulting wine is reminiscent of a Northern Rhône Syrah. At 12.6% alcohol, it is lighter in body than most California Syrahs, but does not lack in depth. Tasting notes reveal layers of blue and red fruit, violet, cacao, cracked black pepper, and a meaty, iron core with a mineral finish."
Varietal Composition: 100% Syrah
Appellation: Sta. Rita Hills AVA
Aging: 8 months in neutral oak barrels (30% whole cluster)
Farming Practices: Organic/Biodynamic
95 Points - Wine Enthusiast
"Lighter in the glass, this is a delicate Syrah that's built to last, starting with aromas of brisk black raspberry, pure purple flower and a touch of warm pastry. The palate is wrapped in chalky tannins, delivering pristine purple flower, thyme and peppercorn flavors." -MK, 9/1/23
