Winemaker Notes
These wines were blended with the wines we made from our previous sources of Alisos Vineyard in Los Alamos, and French Camp Vineyard in Paso Robles. A small amount of Mourvedre from Stolpman Vineyard was also used in the blend.
The result is the most complex Syrah we have yet produced. The wine has a saturated, dark, slightly purple color. The nose displays a dense array of raspberry, floral, dusty pepper aromas with a hint of sweet oak vanillin. On the palate the wine is very rich in the entry, with a thick velvety texture and loads of sweet fruit. The tannins are very soft and the finish has a spicey, sweet oak character.
As a winemaker, I feel I have had to learn how to deal with Syrah, a grape I have found to be very different than other red grapes I have dealt with. Each year I feel I have gained another insight into how to best bring out the most of the grapes. Each year I feel our Syrah shows the increase in my understanding of the grapes.
I expect that this wine will continue to develop with another three to five years of bottle aging. Serve with hearty Provencal meats, stews or with a selection of fine cheeses.
California is a winemaking colossus; by itself it is the fourth largest producer in the world. Red wine accounts for 56% of the total by volume, and red grapes 63% of total acres planted. In addition, a number of California red wines are heralded as being among the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world.
While the state’s incredibly diverse geography, soils and microclimates allow for a wide array of styles, the key factor unifying California red wine is the abundance of sunshine and a long, consistent growing season. This leads to well-developed fruit marked both by impressive ripeness and balancing acidity.
The state’s most famous red wine region, of course, is Napa Valley, where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as king. But California boasts a wealth of other impressive appellations. The much larger and climatically varied Sonoma County also produces world class California Cabernet, along with wonderful examples of California Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.
Fine versions of Cabernet and Zinfandel hail from Paso Robles as well, which is also gaining fame with Rhone varietals like Syrah and Grenache. As for Pinot Noir, terrific examples can be found from AVA’s such as Anderson Valley, Carneros, Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills. Wineries in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties are making wonderful Syrahs, and the Sierra Foothill appellations are proving to be an experimental hotbed, with Italian and Spanish varietals employed to great effect.
This of course is a mere sketch. The subject of California red wine is as deep and broad as an ocean, and absolutely a joy to explore!