*90 points, Gold Medal, Vineyard and Winery Management Grand Harvest Competition
Licorice, Spice and Everything Nice:
Vineyards
We grow two blocks of Syrah on the estate; the Hooker’s Creek block and the
Diablo block. The two terrains provide different dimensions to our Syrah.
Hooker’s Creek is located on the lower, gentler South East facing slope on
the eastern edge of our Petroni Vineyard property. Hooker’s Creek gives the
finished wine subtle richness and depth and composes the lion's share of the
wine. The Diablo block is our most picturesque property where vines root on
to impossibly steep, south facing, rugged slopes rich with rocky volcanic
soils. This block adds the power, complexity and spice to the finished
wine.
Winemaking Techniques
The long, drawn-out harvest kept us on the edge of our seats as cool weather
reigned for most of the season. In the fall, relief came in a steady supply
of sunshine and we were finally put at ease. Though harvest was very late,
it was nearly perfect, thanks to spectacular weather and the extended
hang-time. The lots were fermented separately in closed-top fermenters
following a one week cold soak. Native yeast and malolactic strains were
employed to add complexity for the fermentation and maceration period which
lasted upwards of four weeks. The wines were runoff as a blend, with the
press wine added shortly thereafter. The Syrah was aged in the tightest
grained French oak barrels with only about 35% new wood for 16 months. The
finished wine was neither fined nor filtered to preserve the richness.
Tasting Notes
Elegantly perfumed with red berry and Rhone-like characters of licorice,
spice and earth. The palate is complex and savory with concentrated fruit
and packed with fine tannins. The aromas extend on to the palate with fresh
acidity, a long lasting finish and an old world rusticity.
Variety: 100% Syrah
Appellation: Sonoma Valley, Estate grown
Aging: Sixteen months in new and used French Oak
Alcohol: 14.5%
