Dovecote’s flagship wine is made to highlight the unique own-rooted Estrella River Syrah that was originally “borrowed” from the famed Chapoutier vineyard in Hermitage, France. Above all, it is what Thompson Vineyard has become renowned for 30 years. Dark, rich, and multidimensional, the 2017 Dovecote Syrah delivers its power with a graceful touch.
VINEYARD NOTES
Meticulously farmed from just a few of the sandiest, windblown, and nutrient-depleted northwesternmost rows of the cool climate Thompson Vineyard. 27 year old own-rooted Estrella River Syrah struggles to draw enough nourishment up through its deep roots to produce a crop. Clusters and berries are tiny, almost pea-sized, with massive skin-to-pulp ratios providing intense structure and density.
WINEMAKING NOTES
Hand harvested at night at only 1 Ton/acre, cold grapes were meticulously sorted over and open table, then de-stemmed and stored at 40 degrees for 72 hours before allowing fermentation to begin in small open top bins with multiple daily punchdowns. Wine was aged in 33% new French oak barrels for 24 months and bottled unfiltered. Finally, bottles were rested an additional full year before release and will benefit from additional cellar time before consumption.
- Vintage
- 2017
- Varietal
- Own-rooted Estrella River Syrah
- Blend
- 100% Syrah
- Vineyard
- Thompson Vineyard
- Vine Age
- 27 years
- Clone
- Estrella River
- Rootstock
- Own
- Soil
- Sandy Loam
- Appellation
- Alisos Canyon, Los Alamos Valley, Santa Barbara County
- Climate
- Cool I/II
- Brix
- 24.8
- pH
- 3.59
- ABV
- 14.7%
- Cases
- 72
- Tons Per Acre
- < 1
- Peak Years
- 2021-2036