SYRAH HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS PRODUCING FINE WINE IN THE RHÔNE SINCE ROMAN TIMES. HOWEVER, HER ORIGINS WERE THE SUBJECT OF MUCH DEBATE AND HYPOTHESIS – SICILY?  PERSIA??   DNA TESTS IN 1999 ESTABLISHED THAT SYRAH IS THE PROGENY OF 2 VINES FROM SOUTH-EAST FRANCE – DUERZA (A BLACK GRAPE) AND MONDEUSE BLANCHE (A WHITE GRAPE).  THIS UNLIKELY UNION BLESSED BEUATIFUL SYRAH WITH DEEP, DARK, DENSE AND INTENSE QUALITIES. SYRAH PRODUCES WINES WITH A WIDE RANGE OF FLAVORS, DEPENDING ON THE CLIMATE AND SOILS WHERE IT IS GROWN. AROMA CHARACTERS RANGE FROM VIOLETS TO BERRIES (USUALLY DARK AS OPPOSED TO BRIGHT), CHOCOLATE, ESPRESSO AND BLACK PEPPER.  IT IS A WINE FOR THE LONG TERM THAT RESPONDS WELL TO OAK.

OUR GRAPES WERE SOURCED FROM THE COOL-ISH TIERRA ALTA VINEYARD IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.  THIS WINE WAS MADE BY  HAND-PICKING THE GRAPES AND FERMENTING IN A SMALL BOX.  THE FERMENTATION WAS ON SKINS FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND PUNCHED DOWN 3 TIMES A DAY.  WE BASKET PRESSED WHEN DRY, THEN MATURED IN  2 YR OLD FRENCH OAK BARRELS.  IT WAS RACKED ONCE.  WE BOTTLED 55 CASES IN DECEMBER OF 2009.  THIS WINE IS APPROACHABLE UPON RELEASE, BUT THOSE WITH PATIENCE WILL BE REWARDED OVER THE NEXT 5-10 YEARS.

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