The 2018 Sarah’s Vineyard Syrah is based on this noble variety of France’s Northern Rhone, responsible worldwide for classic reds. From French Hermitage to Australian Shiraz, Syrah is one of the most popular and widely-planted red wine grapes.
The Syrah for our 2018 release came from our good friend George Besson, Jr.’s old vineyard, just 300 yards to the east of Sarah’s. This historic property was originally planted in 1922. George’s and our estates bridge the historic Santa Clara Valley and the cooler climate “Mt. Madonna” district of the southern Santa Cruz Mountains. Here fog and winds from nearby Monterey Bay dramatically cool down the vineyards, extending the growing season and providing unique conditions for complex Rhone cultivars.
On the nose the ’18 Syrah is full of rich dark fruit and leather. In the glass this opens up with blackberry, dark cherry, and plum fruit flavors along with tobacco, clove, spice, and a hint of leather. This is a wine that evolves quite a bit as it opens up. The ’18 Syrah pairs with the recipe included in this shipment: Rosemary Lamb Shanks with Saffron Brown Rice.
Appellation: Santa Clara Valley
Vineyard: Besson
Grower: George Besson, Jr.
Alcohol: 14.2
Cooperage: French oak, 20% new, 20 months
Production: 320
