The 2003 Melville Vineyard Syrah is characteristically dark, dusty and chewy. Like last year, it is very powerful, but 2002 is certainly more elegant. It has mineral-spice-cassis flavors. The aroma shows cherries with hints of provincial herbs and raspberries. Equal parts of Shiraz 1 and Estrella clone grapes, and a little Tablas Creek clone grapes were used. Made using four new French and two new American, plus six older French and American barrels. (286 cases produced)
• This wine is 100% Syrah from the extremely cool Melville Vineyard in Lompoc.
• It is a blend of three syrah clones; Clone 1 Shiraz (42%), Estrella (42%), and Tablas Creek (18%).
• The Tablas Creek Syrah was harvested November 16, 2002 at 24.0 brix, 3.3 pH.
• The Estrella Syrah was harvested November 5, 2002 at 24.2 brix, 3.5 pH.
• The Clone 1 Shiraz was harvested November 5, 2002 at 23.8 brix, 3.4 pH.
• The fruit was stemmed but not crushed. Intact, whole berries were placed in small bin boxes for 14 days of fermentation after a two-day cold soak.
• Inoculated with D254, PDM, and RC 212 yeast.
• This wine represents twelve choice barrels selected out of a total lot of thirty-three.
• Of this, four were new French barrels and two were new American barrels. The rest were older barrels, both French and American.
• Went through ML fermentation, completing in January.
• Racked in April 2002, and again before bottling.
• Unfined and unfiltered.
• An incredibly powerful wine. The best yet in its third vintage!
• Bottled in March 2004.
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.
The Wine Advocate - Aug 2006
My favorite offering here is the opaque purple-colored 2003 Syrah Melville Vineyard, a superb concoction of black, blue, and red fruit, camphor, and acacia flower aromas. Full-bodied with multiple layers of flavor yet neither heavy nor overripe, this beauty possesses terrific fruit intensity as well as a spectacular finish. It should drink well for 6-10 years or longer.