1998 SYRAH CALIFORNIA

(From Roll, Bien Nacido, and Stolpman Vineyards)

 

We make the 'California' syrah each year from a blend of vineyards from Ojai Valley and Santa Barbara County. While we do make more of this wine than any of our vineyard designated syrahs, the same care and attention to detail goes into it.

1994 was the first year we were able to buy syrah grapes from some new, exciting vineyards, and while we made some notable wines previously, we feel this allowed us to make much better wines. And as viticultural practices have evolved in California, our vineyard sources have continued to improve. Vertical trellising and leaf pulling (for even sun exposure, and thus even ripening), coupled with aggressive crop thinning and higher vine densities in the newer plantings have had a huge positive effect on the quality of fruit we work with at the winery. Moreover, 1998 was a really wonderful year for grapes in our area, so this bottling is especially fine.

In 1998 each vineyard contributed something to the blend that made for a wine that is truly greater than the sum of its parts. The Roll Ranch gave a decadent plum-like plumpness, the Stolpman a mineral-y ness, and the Bien Nacido a spiciness and lively acidity. Poised and balanced, this intensely flavored wine is intriguing and enjoyable to drink now, yet will continue to evolve positively for many years.