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Grapes from the Syrah blocks at the ranch
have long been coveted and vinified by a select group of
wineries in the area, and this practice continues today.
But a few bins of Syrah from the rolling front vineyard of
the property were selected for the Great Oaks 2006 estate
wine, with a resulting production of just 51 cases of this
sublime Syrah. 2006 was a year of semi-drought conditions,
a mild Spring and a nice, warm Summer. Clusters and berries
tended to be smaller than usual due to the arid season, resulting
in a wine of intensely concentrated flavors, but with much
smaller yields than the previous vintage.
Syrah is definitely
a grape that shows “terroir”.
The varietal requires a vineyard location with warm and sunny
days, a long growing season, and crisp and cool evenings
in order to produce a wine of character, complexity and balance.
Great Oaks Ranch is such a place. Maritime breezes from the
nearby Pacific Ocean provide a natural “air conditioner” to
the vines as they ripen during the warm summer days. As the
day wanes, the temperature dramatically cools – sometimes
as much as 40° - allowing the grapes to retain their
natural acidity. The results speak for themselves in the
glass.
The dark, crimson-indigo color has depth
and brilliance as it swirls in the glass. Toasty aromas intermingle
with
blackberry jam and dried black cherry as a velvety texture
coats the palate upon first sip. Spicy notes of anise and
clove mingle with black pepper and barbecue smoke, black
currant, dark plum and nuances of bacon fat. Big, round,
juicy and yet elegant with refined tannins that foretell
of the 2006 Syrah’s ageability. The finish is long
and lingering with a pleasant thread of minerality. Will
pair beautifully with a meal or with a few good friends.
| Release Date: |
Spring 2011 |
| Production: |
51 cases of 750ml bottles. |
| Vineyard Location: |
Central-Eastern edge of the Santa Ynez Valley,
from a raised knoll in the block. North-South row orientation.
1,200 vines per acre. |
| Yield: |
Restricted to 2.0 tons per acres. With 1,200
vines per acres, 3.3 lbs fruit per vine. |
| Varietal Composition |
100% Syrah, Clone 1 |
| Alcohol: |
14.9% |
| pH: |
3.67 |
| TA |
6.8 g/L |
| Winemaker |
Andrew Murray |
| Winegrower/Proprietor |
Nancy and Michael Lippman |
Please click here
for a printable version of the winemaking and tasting notes. |
