2005 Syrah Rosé, Flora Ranch Vineyard, Chalk Hill
Vineyard
Flora Ranch is tucked in a bowl shaped, eastern facing valley that is shielded 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 Chalk Hill. The extra hang time results in grapes that ripen slowly and fully with flavors, sugars and acids maturing in unison.
Winemaking
Unlike most dry Rosé, ours is not the by-product of another wine. Our Syrah grapes were grown specifically for this dry Rosé wine. The grapes were picked in the cool early morning at 24.5 brix. We whole fruit pressed only ¾ of the juice in order to minimize the astringent influence of the stems and seeds. The wine was cold tank fermented using a very low rate of yeast for almost 90 days at 50 to 55F. The unusually slow and cool fermentation is designed to preserve the vibrant fruit character that can easily be “blown off” by a warmer, faster fermentation. Our Flora Ranch Syrah Rose was bottled in a clear hock vessel to show off its delicate pink hue.
Tasting Notes
As with the first fresh strawberries of the summer, opening a bottle of our Flora Ranch Dry Rosé is a sensory delight. Vibrant flavors of juicy strawberry, stone fruit, white flower and orange zest abound in the lively mouthfeel and persist through the lingering bright finish.
Case Production: 196
Retail Price: $20/Bottle