Spring Release Russian River Valley Syrah
2008

Winemaker’s Notes

Our new vintage of RRV Syrah vividly reminds me of the 2005 bottling with its lovely cool climate aromatic expression and unmistakable peppery/meaty notes. That vintage is maturing into a stunning cool climate example of Californian Syrah, a route I expect this new release to follow. Its dominant aromatically-charged character really reminds me of Green Valley Pinot the way the aromas take hold and maintain their intensity right through to the wine’s finish. There’s no doubt that it’s a Syrah carved from the Pinot mould. The wine’s inherent concentration is a product of the low yields our source vineyards naturally produced and these grapes later ripened under cool October skies to produce such great fruit intensity. You can safely drink this upon release, as the tannins are fully buffered by the wine’s strong natural extract, but a few years in the cellar will see the transformation of the primary aromas and flavors into something truly special and unique.

Bright ruby purple color; highly aromatic with violets, black pepper and soy opening to rich blackberry and dried herbs. Initially bright and fresh palate with graphite, cassis and spicy licorice then broadens to deep blackberries with a dark tapenade edge. Lovely inner mouth perfume and full rich mouthfeel which easily absorbs the ripe tannins on the finish. Decant for an hour in its youth and drink between 2010 and 2018.

Andy Smith Viticulturist, Winemaker & Partner