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Vintage: 2005 | 2006 | 2007
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Appellation: Mendocino
Vineyard: Perli Vineyards
Varietal: Syrah
Clone: Estrella & 877
Age: 15 years
Elevation: 1350 feet
Soil: Clay loam over sandstone bedrock
Yield: 2-2.5 tons/acre
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Harvested: Oct 12 & 17 (2006)
Pressed: Nov 9, 2006
Blend: 100% Syrah
Maceration: 23-28 days in open top wood vats
Barrel aging: 32 mos. in 1-3 yr FO barrels
Bottled: Unfiltered on July 14, 2009
Production: 38 cases
Release date: Fall 2009
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2006 is our second Reserve vintage. Our Reserve Label represents a Syrah that is of outstanding character to start and then further develops structure, depth and nuance with extended barrel aging
for 32-36 months. 2006 was our first year working with fruit from Perli Vineyards, our newest Syrah project. The Mendocino Ridge is just north of the “True Sonoma Coast” and is the only non-contiguous appellation. Here vineyards must be no more than 13 miles from the Pacific Ocean and no lower than 1200 feet in elevation. The result is what looks like “Islands in the Sky” as these vineyards peek out of
the fog that typically stays around 800 feet. The vineyards are perched atop steep hillsides that receive intense sunlight with cold and powerful ocean winds. We made our Perli like all of our reds, starting out with wood vats (we do not make wine in plastic) that receive whole clusters (0% for 06 Perli) and whole berries. From there we crush to our liking via pigeage à pied (foot stomping). Wild yeasts are employed without nutrients or other enhancers. We punch down by hand up to 3x daily which is a good work with those whole clusters. The cooperage was a mix of 1-3 yr old French oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation was natural and completed by early summer. The wine stayed sur lie for 12 months when it was racked and returned to barrel for the final 20 months of aging until the final blend was assembled in mid June 2009. The wine was bottled without fining or filtration on July 14, 2009.
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Earth, ferrous meaty aromas, green tea and pine forest demand attention. Further examination reveals layers that include peppercorn, mint, cocoa, violet, smoke and camphor. The palate provides equal
depth with luscious dark fruit like blueberry, creamy blackberry and cassis with an iron ferrous vein running through. The tannins are long, soft and lingering with a finish that goes on for minutes and leaves you wanting more. |
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