Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2003 Syrah Shadow Canyon Vineyard exhibits a deep inky/ruby/purple color as well as a rich, sumptuous nose of cassis, crushed rocks, camphor, and sweet pain grille scents. It is a pure, dramatic, full-bodied, powerful, impeccably well-balanced expression of Syrah that requires another year or two of bottle age.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Located on the eastern side of the Santa Lucia Mountains and west of the Paso Robles AVA, the York Mountain AVA is only seven miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. With a strong marine influence and vineyards planted around 1,500 feet, York Mountain is cooler and wetter than the rest of Paso Robles.