2007 Larner Vineyard Syrah
The 2007 Larner Vineyard Syrah – is the only wine we make exclusively from new French ENTAV syrah clones. This means the wine has a more spice driven focus. It is elegant, dark, and fruitful. The grapes marry with the sand and limestone vineyard site giving this wine a character reminiscent of the great Northern Rhone syrahs. One of 12 barrels are whole cluster fermented. (288 cases produced).
•Vineyard site is a steep south-facing slope of sand overlying limestone.
•Larner Syrah harvested October 30th (Clone 174 26.1 brix, 3.4 pH, Clone 383 24.1 brix, 3.3 pH)
•With the exception of a half ton of fruit that was left whole cluster and foot stomped, this fruit was stemmed but not crushed. Intact, whole berries were placed in small bin boxes for fermentation which followed a 48 hour cold soak. (8% whole cluster fermented)
•Aged in two new American and ten neutral barrels. (17% new oak)
•RC212, D254, and WS yeast used.
•Went through ML fermentation, completing in January.
•Wine was racked in July, and again before bottling.
•Unfined, but lightly filtered.
•Bottled in August 2008
•Produced in 750 ml and 1.5L bottles.
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.