2016 Estate Syrah

VINEYARD NOTES

Meticulously farmed from just a few of the sandiest, windblown, and nutrient-depleted northwesternmost rows of the cool climate Thompson Vineyard.  26 year old own-rooted Estrella River Syrah struggles to draw enough nourishment up through its deep roots to produce a crop. After five years of severe drought and tiny yields, the vines produced a larger crop this year with slightly thinner skins and more generous cluster sizes.  The overall growing season was long with fruit inching along at the end during the cooler days of autumn.  The result is a Syrah that is lighter on its feet than typical vintages with a more versatile and elegant structure, and rich floral aromatics.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Harvested at night, cold grapes were brought into the winery early in the morning.  All clusters were then de-stemmed and berries meticulously sorted by hand and then stored cold for several days before allowing fermentation to begin in small open top bins with gentle punchdowns.  Wine was aged in 20% new French oak barrels for 18 months and bottled unfiltered.  Finally, the wine was allowed an additional eighteen months of bottle conditioning before release and will benefit from additional cellar time before consumption.