2019 John Sebastiano Vineyard Syrah
2019 John Sebastiano Vineyard Syrah
This wine exemplifies the complexity and grace found in cool climate Syrah.
Description
This wine exemplifies the complexity and grace found in cool climate Syrah. The aromatics are alive with ripe plums, blueberries, violets and fresh thyme. The pallet offers up fresh berries, blackcurrants and hints of freshly-cooked bacon. Firm yet subtle tannins compose the wine into an elegant symphony of flavors and textures. The wine’s complexity will only be enhanced with additional time in the cellar.
Vineyard Notes
John Sebastiano Vineyard, located at the eastern end of Sta. Rita Hills, is planted on steep hillsides with sandy, lime-rich soils. The vines struggle to ripen in the cool westerly marine winds, resulting in great concentration and dramatic aromas and flavors. The grapes for this wine came from Block 18C, planted to Clone 470 which originates from the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France.
Production Notes
The 2019 vintage enjoyed a long, cool growing season, which resulted in bright aromatics, complex flavors and well-balanced natural acidity in the grapes. A mild spring led to late budbreak and bloom, and temperatures remained below average for most of the growing season. Warmer late summer weather kicked off the harvest season, and while our Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noirs were harvested in mid to late September, Syrahs did not ripen until about a month later. Grapes from John Sebastiano Vineyard were harvested on October 14th.
Winemaker Notes
This Syrah was crafted using an adaptation of Australian winemaking techniques focused on extraction early in the fermentation process, minimizing the risk of harsh tannins. The grapes were crushed into tanks and given a four-day cold soak. After fermentation, the wine was pressed immediately and aged for 17 months in 31% new French oak barrels. The wine was racked off its lees after one year and returned to barrel, and ultimately bottled on March 31st, 2021.
| Vintage |
2019 |
| Wine Style |
Red Wine |
| Varietal |
100% Syrah |
| Appellation |
Sta. Rita Hills |
| Acid |
6.20 g/l |
| PH |
3.76 |
| Alcohol % |
14.8 |
| Size |
750 ml |
