Wind Gap Armagh Vineyard Syrah 2012
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We've combed the state to gather a collection of some of the moste exciting vineyards for producing the kinds of grapes we love - Cabernet from Coombsville in south Napa, Chardonnay from the dramatic limestone and granit of Chalone, Grenache from the Shale and Limestone blanketed hills of western Paso Robles, and Syrah from the windy and cold Sonoma Coast. Along the way, we've been lucky enough to meet and work along with like-minded growers who embrace the discerning farming practices we belive in.
Interestingly enough, many of our vineyards are planted along or are directly influenced by one wind gap or another. These geological breaks in the coastal hill funnel wind inland and strongly influence the growing and ripening fo our grapes. It seemed only fitting to us that our name should celebrate the forces of nature that are shaping our wine.
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.”
A vast appellation covering Sonoma County’s Pacific coastline, the Sonoma Coast AVA runs all the way from the Mendocino County border, south to the San Pablo Bay. The region can actually be divided into two sections—the actual coastal vineyards, marked by marine soils, cool temperatures and saline ocean breezes—and the warmer, drier vineyards further inland, which are still heavily influenced by the Pacific but not quite with same intensity.
Contained within the appellation are the much smaller Fort Ross-Seaview and Petaluma Gap AVAs.
The Sonoma Coast is highly regarded for elegant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and, increasingly, cool-climate Syrah. The wines have high acidity, moderate alcohol, firm tannin, and balanced ripeness.