Winemaker Notes
This vineyard lives down the road, just south of its older sibling, Rosella's, but exhibits the feral and rustic qualities imparted by elevation, thin soil, and a warmer microclimate. The wine introduces itself with hard candy, violets, ruby red grapefruit and lavender on the nose. The pluot and cassis characters on the palate yield to a bacon fat quality that is strongly reminiscent of the "Honey-Lavender Bacon" from the winery's local butcher (good stuff!). Fine-grained tannins on the finish, but this is a wine of depth and intensity that could find its true "happy spot" with some proper cellaring.
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.”
Perhaps the most highly regarded appellation within Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA benefits from a combination of warm morning sunshine and brisk afternoon breezes, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and fully. The result is concentrated, flavorful wines that retain their natural acidity. Wineries here do not shy away from innovation, and place a high priority on sustainable viticultural practices.
The climatic conditions here are perfectly suited to the production of ripe, rich Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These Burgundian varieties dominate an overwhelming percentage of plantings, though growers have also found success with Syrah, Riesling and Pinot Gris.