Appellation: Anderson Valley Vineyard: Broken Leg Varietal: Syrah Clone: Durrell & Shiraz Age: 27 years Elevation: 650 feet Soil: Decomposed sandstone & loamy clay Yield: 2-2.5 tons/acre
Harvested:Oct 26, 2007 Pressed:Nov 17, 2007 Blend:97% Syrah + 3% Viognier Maceration:22 days Barrel aging: 32 mos. in 50/50 1 yr neutral
FO barrels Bottled: Unfiltered on July 30, 2010 Production:45 cases Release date:Fall 2010
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 30-36 months. 2007 was the year we choose Broken Leg for the Reserve Syrah. Like all of our reds, we ferment in wood vats (we do not make wine in plastic) that receive whole clusters (35% for 07 Broken Leg) 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 50/50 mix of 1& 4 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 early July 2010. The wine was bottled without fining or filtration on July 30, 2010.
Blueberry, violet and ferrous meaty aromas are immediate. With time the meat is clearly smoky bacon and forrest floor and peppercorn become prominent. The mouth is lush with more dark fruits like blackberry and cassis. The tannins are long but softened and the finish leaves you wishing for more..
