100% Syrah

The Wine: Located on Howell Mountain, with an elevation of 1,300 ft. our Syrah vineyards lie on the optimal south facing slopes and are planted side by side with a combination of two clones, Hermitage (Rhône Valley) and Barossa (Australia) selections.

Released: January 1, 2006

Harvest: September 29 and 30, 2003

Growing Notes: Our Syrah vines hang 1,300ft above the Napa Valley floor on Howell Mountain and were planted in 1997 on the northern most part of our property. The season began with a series of early heat spikes in March, followed by the wettest April on record. Continuing with a nice cool summer allowed the fruit flavors to evolve beautifully ahead of sugar accumulation. Long “hang-time” on the vine brought balanced phenolics/acidity levels. Our estate vineyards are farmed using organically certified materials and we have been farming bio-dynamically since 2002.

Production: 290

Winemaking Notes: Our hillside brings both clones together in an elegant dance. Harvesting is done under the stars late into the evening when the temperatures are low. The fruit is then placed into French oak barrels as whole berries for fermentation. The highest quality lots are specifically selected, through tasting, to undergo extended maceration for heightened flavor extraction. Malolactic fermentation also occurs in barrel. The wines are racked every 12 to 16 weeks. This wine spent 18 months in 100% French oak using a combination of 225L barrels and 400L puncheons to balance the oak component.

Tasting Notes: Our 2003 Syrah showcases true mountain fruit, expressing our volcanic terroir character. It has deep purple-black colour, intense flavours of red berries, hints of coffee, spice and a dash of white pepper in the finish, backed by richly structured and enticing tannins. Enjoy this wine with a variety of foods (game, pastas, fish and stews). With this wine, your culinary imagination is the limit.