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Wine Details
Price:
Description:
This is our first syrah release from this vineyard in Anderson Valley that is planted along with the viognier we released earlier this summer. The vineyard, with its high elevation and cool climate, has produced a really fascinating young wine. This wine is also special to us in that it was a joint blending effort with Paul Roberts, the sommelier for the French Laundry. We cofermented the wine with 3% viognier and 50% whole cluster then barrel aged it in 40% new oak. Together with Paul, we blended various percentages of cold fermented viognier from Broken Leg. We decided on 2.5% bringing the total to 5.5% viognier. The wine will only be available via our mailing list or in 375ml at the French Laundry in Yountville and New York. We look forward to continuing this relationship with Paul and have some other things in store for future releases. (123 cases produced)
The wine possesses aromatics of sweet blackberry, light tar and leather. Picks up hints of pepper and a fleshy peach blossom lift from the viognier after being open for while. Rich blackberry flavors carry to the pallet with cocoa powder, white pepper and hints of peach/apricot viognier flavors. The lushness of the wine is nicely balanced by firm dusty tannins and sound acidty.
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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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