2021 Syrah
This wolf is a beautiful, mysterious beast. A predator in a pine forest, where earth and animal meet.Herbs and spices: black peppercorn, oregano, clove, nutmeg, and eucalyptus.
Fruit: juicy plum, a brambly mix of red and white currants, and cranberries.
Black olives.
A classic wine to be savored. A resinous, powerful but well-integrated creature, with serious but fine tannins and a long, long finish. Take your time with this one.
I would say pair with fresh kill (venison) but I’d probably be arrested so please don’t. Also, I love Bambi and would never eat her or her cousins, so please don’t. Maybe some jerk chicken? How about something like Coq au Vin or cacio e pepe; smoked gouda, or any vegan dish with lentils or beans or mushrooms where we know Bambi will be safe.
Wine Specifications
ABV
14.9%
Vintage
2021
Region
Santa Barbara County
Varietal
95% Syrah, 5% Malvasia Bianca
Vineyard notes
Slow and steady, then all at once was the theme for 2021. Bud break started late (around the end of march) after a cool and dry winter and spring. Most of the growing season saw relatively mild temperatures, with very few days over 100 degrees. The reds took their time ripening, and the Syrah was harvested 12 days later than the year before. The fruit was quality and retained lovely flavors and aromatics.
Production notes
Our first pick was separated into two lots, the first destemmed and placed in a bin for ferment, and the second 50% whole cluster in an open top tank. Both were healthy ferments, receiving daily pumpovers and eventually punchdowns. After four weeks on the skins they were pressed to oak. The second pick was 13 days later, and fermented 100% WC. After four weeks of foot stomping and pump overs, this was also pressed to French oak. All lots matured in oak until the spring of 2023 when it was blended and bottled.
CASES: 263
Picked
9/23/2021
Waning gibbous moon
pressed
10/21/2021
Full moon
racked
8/11/2022
Full moon
Bottled
3/22/2023
New moon
