2022 Santa Lucia Highlands "Soberanes Vineyard" Syrah
100% Syrah
When owner Gary Franscioni informed me he was grafting our section of Rosella’s Syrah to Pinot Noir, I was devastated. But to make up for it, Gary kindly offered to squeeze out some fruit for me from his Soberanes Vineyard, just a stone’s throw away from Rosella’s. I had always been extremely impressed by Syrahs from Soberanes so I immediately took him up on his offer. Consisting of Alban Power Block and Alban 1 selections, the fruit was picked September 28th. 21% whole cluster. Twenty days on the skins and pressed to all French oak, 28% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Medium-dark to dark magenta-purple. Aromatically, very expressive and beautifully floral with notes of green peppercorn, savory herbs, and black licorice. On the palate, medium-full bodied with a beautiful smooth texture and very refined tannins. Flavors of licorice, black olive, and smoked game persist in the long finish. A very poised wine with exceptional balance that should appeal to those with an Old-World palate. Begin enjoying in 2026 if you prefer your Syrahs on the young, fruity side or all the way through 2042 if you prefer the more secondary characteristics that emerge with bottle age. (MRO - 01/16/25)