Nose
The wine shows classic Rhone aromatics of pepper, roasted red meat, and savory herbs.
Palate
The palate has rich layers of blue and black fruits with a hint of clove.
Growing Conditions
This site has unfailingly produced great Syrah in every different type of vintage and 2015 is no exception. The grapes are sourced from Bennett Valley and are grown on the steep hillsides of Bennett Mountain.
The 2015 vintage brought lower crop yields and, generally, riper fruit than 2014. In fact, the crop yields in Sonoma County were lower than any year since 2005. Poor weather during fruit set in the spring was the main cause of the lower yields.
Aging
The wine spent 14 months in French oak, and we used 60% new barrels.
Food Pairing
Lamb and duck are obvious choices (but good ones), and it handles spice better than Cabernet. It also handles the acidity of tomatoes better than most red wines.
