Fall Release Estate Vineyard Syrah (formerly Jack Robert's Run)
2016

Winemaker’s Notes

This is the most extraordinary Syrah vintage in our history, and the finest ever bottling from the vines we planted in 2001, with a level of concentration and intensity that comes from precise farming and meager vine yields. Our two-acre Estate Syrah block sits on an elevated knoll with a spectacular southward view of the broader Green Valley below. Though the block of vines sees the sun all day, its coastal proximity keeps it quite cool, providing for an extended ripening season. Its soils are sandy loam with a vein of richer clay above the sandstone bedrock. The Viognier that we co-ferment grows adjacent to the Syrah and is harvested on the same day, not added later to the blend. We harvest relatively early to capture the essence of coastal Syrah: wild aromatics; an intensity of red, blue and black fruits; exotic florals and spices; a balance of fruit and savory elements; and a focused structure that allows the wine to age beautifully in bottle. Raising the wine in a mix of larger barrels and a Tuscan clay amphora preserves the freshness and vibrancy the vines naturally produce and adds an element of nuance and detail.

The wine itself is packed full of dark, spicy fruits; olive tapenade; floral and pepper notes and darker licorice—penetrating, deep and pure, power allied with elegance. Pine sap and anise complexity underscores the deep boysenberry and blackberry fruit flavors. The wine’s structure means it’s tucked in for many years of future development in bottle; enjoy it between 2019 and 2030.

Andy Smith