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Wine Details
Price:
$25.00 per bottle
Description:
2003 was the 10th growing season for our Syrah vines. Our Syrah vines were planted in 1994, which, as it turns out, makes them older than 90+% of the Syrah vines planted in California. We are finding that with each passing vintage, our bottled Syrah shows a little more richness and complexity with greater depth of fruit flavors.
The 2003 Syrah is a more structured wine than the 2002, yet its flavors are better developed than the 2002 was at the same point in its life. In 2003, we decided to begin aging the wine an extra 6 months in barrel in order to better integrate aromas and flavors, so this wine spent a total of 22 months in French oak. We also co-fermented the Syrah with 3% Viognier to give the wine a softer entry and a touch more juiciness. Because of these changes, our Syrah will be ready to enjoy upon release."
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Varietal Definition
Syrah:
Syrah is the eight hundred pound gorilla of Rhone grapes! In the vineyard and the winery, Syrah is typically an easy grape to work with - healthy, early ripening, resistant to mildew and rot; suitable for winemaking in a variety of styles. The wines from Syrah are tannic without being harsh. The wines will have a taste and smell of dark blue fruit like blackberries and blackcurrant, with a strong spicy side where one can find freshly ground pepper and other spices. Syrah is famous for its part in the French blends, such as Côtes du Rhone and Châteauneuf du Pape.
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Viognier:
The most acclaimed white wine grape from France's Rhône Valley, Viognier is a highly aromatic varietal, with a flavor profile that could include peach, apricot, nectarine, lichee, musk and flower blossom. The heady perfume of this varietal is one of its trademarks, although its flavors are sometimes problematic in matching with food. However, it does well with lobster, crab and moderately flavored fish. Use it as an apéritif as an alternative to Chardonnay. The "Rhône Rangers" in California have done an excellent job promoting this varietal.
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