Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Syrah-Shiraz 2010
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Our San Lucas fruit develops a high level of concentration and intense blackberry aromas as a result of an extended ripening period due to the vineyard's sloping southeastern vineyards. Our Paso Robles fruit, on the other hand, provides red raspberry flavors and a rich, velvety texture. These two fruit selections when blended together with a small amount of Petite Sirah from Hames Valley produce a more complex wine that has depth, structure and profuse aromatics.
In 2010, we harvested weeks later than normal due to the chilly spring and mild summer months. It wasn't until later in the season that the temperatures warmed up, which resulted in extended hangtime for the fruit. At crush, we de-stemmed the clusters but some of the stems were added to the fermentation tank to lend a white pepper aroma to the wine. Richly textured, extremely aromatic, and beautifully concentrated from the extended ripening period our fruit received, this year's Syrah-Shiraz offers succulent fruit flavors, supple tannins and a tapestry of exotic spice notes.
Tasting Profile:
Appearance: Dark magenta
Aromas: Raspberries, cherries, leather and leaves
Flavors: Plums, berries, pepper, nutmeg and cloves
Francis Ford Coppola Winery, re-opened in July 2010, is the latest venture from Francis Ford Coppola, whose passion for wine, food and adventure is nowhere more evident than in this new production – a winery resort located in the heart of Alexander Valley, California. Among the many attractions at the property, Francis Ford Coppola Winery features a wine tasting bar, two restaurants, swimming pools, a movie gallery, a performing arts pavilion and a park area with game tables and bocce courts.
Francis puts it best, saying the winery is meant to be "a wine wonderland, a park of pleasure where people of all ages can enjoy all the best things in life – food, wine, music, dancing, games, swimming and performances of all types. A place to celebrate the love of life."
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
The largest and perhaps most varied of California’s wine-growing regions, the Central Coast produces a good majority of the state's wine. This vast California wine district stretches from San Francisco all the way to Santa Barbara along the coast, and reaches inland nearly all the way to the Central Valley.
Encompassing an extremely diverse array of climates, soil types and wine styles, it contains many smaller sub-AVAs, including San Francisco Bay, Monterey, the Santa Cruz Mountains, Paso Robles, Edna Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley.
While the Central Coast California wine region could probably support almost any major grape varietiy, it is famous for a few Central Coast reds and whites. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are among the major ones. The Central Coast is home to many of the state's small, artisanal wineries crafting unique, high-quality wines, as well as larger producers also making exceptional wines.