VARIETY:

100% Syrah

THE VINEYARD:

This rugged terrain first made history when gentleman bandit Charles Earl Bowles, known as Black Bart, robbed the daily stagecoach that travelled over the hill from St. Helena to Monticello. The hills were planted to vine by early German settlers in the late 1800’s and abandoned at the onset of Prohibition, where the ground lay fallow until 1995 when Dr. Jan Krupp purchased the 1,100+ acres that stretches from the southern edge of Pritchard Hill overlooking Oakville to the westernmost regions of the Atlas Peak Appellation. Today, nearly 600 acres are planted to various varieties, with Syrah planted in the highest elevations. Our long-term contract is on the I-4 Block, that sits on the highest peak of the vineyard, adjacent Pritchard Hill. It is perhaps, if not the most, ideal area for growing mountain Syrah.

WINEMAKER’S RECORD:

Goodness, this is pure, volcanic mountain Syrah at its finest! This wine possesses a bold, deep, dark color that opens the door to an array of black fruit aromatics. Cassis, blackberry, warm toasted bread and French Oak vanillin all fill the glass with purpose. While still young and in development, the palate shows superior promise with minerals, tongue swirling acidity, cherry and black plum. The tannins are firm and support the back palate for several moments beyond the initial taste. If cellared correctly, this wine will continue to improve for over a decade. Limited production runs make this single-vineyard Syrah all the more precious.

PRODUCTION Essentials

Method | Pellenc Destemmed Via Gravity to Open Top Fermenters, 5-Day Whole Berry Cold Soak, Slow Cellar Temp Fermentation Over 19 Days On Skins, 100% Carbonic Native Primary and Secondary Fermentation, Free Run and Press Fractions Combined to Build Structure and Durability.

Aging Regimen: 100% French Oak, 60% New Francois Frères, Bottled Unfiltered

Production: 400 Cases