The 2002 Stolpman Vineyard Syrah is again thick, elegant, resinous, and more powerful than ever. Two barrels of Estrella Clone Syrah provide big, cherry-tar characteristics, while the two barrels of Durrell clone syrah adds chocolate, pine and blueberry elements. This is a wine of power and balance. Made using one new French barrel, three older barrels. (98 cases produced)
• This wine is 100% Syrah from the limestone rich Stolpman Vineyard in Ballard Canyon.
• The Stolpman Durrell Syrah was harvested October 10, 2002 at 24.7 brix, 3.4 pH.
• The Stolpman Syrah Clone 3 was harvested September 30, 2002 at 24.0 brix, 3.5 pH .
• The Stolpman Estrella Syrah was harvested October 29, 2002 at 24.2 brix, 3.4 pH.
• The fruit was stemmed but not crushed. Intact, whole berries were placed in small bin boxes for fermentation.
• Inoculated with RC 212 yeast.
• Fermented on the skins for 14 days as individual lots in small bin boxes.
• This wine represents four choice barrels selected out of a total lot of nine.
• One barrel was new French oak from the Nevers forest.
• Two barrels were one-year-old French oak and one was an older American barrel.
• Went through ML fermentation, completing in January.
• Racked in April, and again prior to bottling.
• Unfined and unfiltered.
• Much like the 2001 version of this wine with more elegance, more extraction too.
• Elegant with fine tannins and hints of cinnamon. Plums & blueberries. A smooth, full finish. Opens for days after un-corking.
• 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.