'07 Syrah Reserve

TASTING PROFILE AROMAS: It opens with blueberry, blackberry, violets and earthy notes. As it breathes, the aromas of espresso, blueberry and violets predominate. It finishes with cocoa powder, coffee and tarry notes after substantial airing. FLAVORS: The Syrah Reserve is full bodied with soft but powerful tannins. It starts with blackberry jam, violets and mushrooms. The fruit flavors of dark berries combine with mouth filling tannins to form a long silky mid palate and ending with a clean lingering finish. While this wine is already balanced and drinking well, the moderate alcohol, acidity and tannin structure will allow it to improve with additional cellaring and drink well for an additional five to seven years.

While our Central Coast selection is designed to blend flavors from the 27 different AVA’s that make up the larger Central Coast appellation from cold climate regions (region II), the Syrah Reserve is designed to showcase the best wine that can be assembled in a particular vintage. The selection of cuvees by the winemaker David Hopkins starts at fermentation and is finalized after aging is almost complete. Cold climate, co-fermentation, partial barrel fermentation, red lees stirring, extended maceration and individual barrel selection all contribute to the assemblage. The wine is a blend of portions from lots of French and American oak that have been selected to showcase the natural fruit flavors that exude varietal character. Aging, fining, and racking are lot specific with the final cuvee assembled 18 months after harvest.