2007 Syrah, Flora Ranch

Vineyard
Flora Ranch is tucked in a bowl shaped, southeast facing valley, that is shielded by the surrounding hills from much of the early morning and late afternoon sun. As a result of its abbreviated sun exposure, Flora Ranch has a cooler and longer growing season than is usual for the Chalk Hill area. The extra hang time results in grapes that ripen slowly and fully with flavors, sugars and acids maturing in unison. The chalky soils, as well as the unique mix of clones and rootstocks, gives us a complex and elegant Syrah.

Winemaking
Again I emphasize gentle handling and slow fermentations. We harvested our Flora Ranch Syrah, like all my wines, based on flavor and fruit condition, in the cool early morning hours. The must was cold soaked, yeasted with a low rate of yeast – for slow fermentation – and pressed at dryness. The wine was barreled down cloudy in new and one-year-old French oak barrels. After completion of maloactic fermentation, the wine was racked off the lees and returned back to the same barrels for an additional 11 months.

Tasting Notes
Very dark, with lots of blueberry, red fruit, violets and mocha. As the wine opens up it moves toward black cherry and dark chocolate, with sweet oak. This wine/vineyard always amazes me with how it will evolves in the glass over time. This wine will easily age 10-15 years.

Case Production: 264 cases
Retail Price: $32.00