Tasting Notes: An understated, layered, and earthy Syrah, this wine has a delicious core of warm spice, garrigue, dried herbs, blackcurrant, and iron, along with fascinating notes of green olive and salty black licorice. Dark red and black fruits are on full display, and the Viognier pops with lifted violet flavors and aromatics. With dense fruit, broad tannins, and firm acidity, this is a quintessential Rhône-style red.
The Vineyard: Perched at 1,100 ft. on a southwest-facing slope, High Rock Ranch is ideally situated for Syrah due to its high elevation, maritime influence, and rocky Yorkville Schist soils. Planted in 2004 and located 19 miles from the Pacific Coast, this vineyard benefits from large diurnal swings, resulting in concentrated flavors and high natural acidity.
Winemaking: Co-fermented with 3% Viognier. Native yeast. 50% whole-cluster fermentation in small, open-top fermenters. Aged in neutral French oak barrels for 11 months.
Technical Details:
Composition: 97% Syrah (Estrella clone), 3% Viognier
Vineyard: High Rock Ranch
Appellation: Yorkville Highlands AVA, Mendocino
pH: 3.98
TA: 5.6 g/L
Brix at harvest: 23.0
Alcohol: 13.5%
75 cases produced
