California
(Ojai Valley)
750
cases made
Every year we try to make improvements to our equipment,
cellar practices and techniques. In 1997 we purchased some
major equipment: a new press and a new destemmer. Besides
having plenty of fancy, flashy stainless steel around the
winery, we think the new equipment, which is gentler to
the fruit, has helped us extract deeper, richer flavors
without excessive tannins. The 1997 Roll Ranch Syrah benefited
noticably, displaying round silky tannins. But beyond our
latest wine-making refinements, the syrah from this spot
has some very distinct qualities. Every year it displays
a very southern Rhone character of pit fruits (apricot and
plum), and it has a warmth and stony quality that reminds
me of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. This is a very complete and satisfying
wine, and of all our syrahs from 1997, I think it has the
best balance to age gracefully for many years. To date,
my favorite wine that I have made from syrah, has been perhaps
our 1995 Roll, but this one may turn out even better!