2008 Santa Lucia Highlands "Rosella's Vineyard" Syrah
100% Syrah
While the foggy, windswept Rosella’s Vineyard is well known for Pinot noir, Syrah seems to excel in this cool location as well. In fact, Rosella’s Vineyard is proving to be one of the more distinctive sites for Syrah in California with its trademark ruby red grapefruit and white pepper. Picked October 23rd, 50% of the fruit was not destemmed to add structure and a floral top note to the aromas. Aged in all French oak, 28% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Opaque black-purple. Head-turning aromas of blackberry, black olive, and white pepper. A fabulous sniff! On the palate, full-bodied and smooth but with tremendous underlying structure. Notes of white pepper and violets echo on the finish. Gorgeous stuff with a long life ahead. Enjoy 2011 through 2020. (MRO – 3/15/10)