2007 Syrah, Parmelee-Hill, Owl Block
Vineyard:This site, less than one acre of Parmelee-Hill Vineyard, is known as the Owl Box Block - so named because of the presence of an owl roosting box. The vineyard site is on the steep edge of a hill and so receives less of the areas noted high winds. An eastern exposure provides the benefit of early morning sun and missing the intense late afternoon heat. This give a very unique and fun wine.
Winemaking:
I emphasize gentle handling and slow fermentations. We harvested this lot like all my wine based on flavor and fruit condition in the cool early morning hours. The must was cold soaked for three days, yeasted with a low rate of yeast (for slow fermentation) and pressed to barrel after 17 days. 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 10 months.
Tasting Notes:
The “Rock-star”, as we like to call this wine. It has a wonderful violets, lavender and an exotic fruit tone to go along with its Syrah varietal character. The mouth feel has a long concentrated presence, with an almost dark chocolate finish. This wine will age up to, and maybe even beyond, 20 years.
Case Production: 237 cases
Retail Price: $38.00