GOLD MEDAL at Pennsylvania LCB STARWINE competition !
The 2002 Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah is clean, dark, and balanced. It has a deep, high-tone, raspberry-herb aroma and a pleasant dark-fruit taste. It shows classic Bien Nacido white pepper and authentic Rhone flavors. It was made using four new and four older American oak barrels, and four new and four older French oak barrels. Good power. (387 cases produced)
• This wine is 100% Syrah fruit from the high saddle of Z(b) Block at Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Maria. This is an extremely cool vineyard site and is exposed to constant marine air flow.
• Harvested on November 6, 2002 at 25.0 brix, 3.5 pH.
• The fruit was stemmed but not crushed. Intact, whole berries were placed in small bin boxes for fermentation.
• Fermented on the skins for 14 days after a 48 hour cold soak. Half the lots were fermented in small bin boxes. The other half was fermented in a larger, jacketed, open-top fermenter. The results of both lots were quite similar.
• RC212 and D254 yeast used.
• Twelve French barrels were used. Four barrels were new and eight were older.
• Four American barrels were used. Two barrels were new and two were older.
• Wine was racked in mid April, and again before bottling.
• Went through ML fermentation, completing in April.
• Unfined and unfiltered.
• Bottled in August 2003
Food Pairing: This is a highly flavored wine which works well with similarly flavorful food. Try dark sauces, even some with dark fruit. Makes a great reduction sauce. Try spiced or BBQ pork, lamb, or beef. Slow roasted short-ribs in syrah reduction cannot be beat. Seared, spiced Ahi is a favorite, as is smoked salmon.