2004 SYRAH SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
California
As we continue to press
our growers to be more meticulous in their work, we have been
pleased by the increase in quality in the wines. And perhaps the
most dramatic change has been in our Santa Barbara County blend,
which is getting more and more intriguing with each successive
vintage.
The 2003 was certainly
a study in what low yields from mostly hot climate vineyards can
achieve. It was hugely fruity and had big, soft textured tannins.
In 2004 we turn away from the warmest districts of Santa Ynez
Valley, and concentrate our efforts on what we like best-cool
climate syrah. This wine is comprised of 50% moderately warm vineyards
and 50% from very cool climate spots. The resulting wine is just
as concentrated as the 2003, but possesses more spirit-y, peppery
northern Rhone characteristics. This syrah is less obvious than
the 2003, but in my view a finer wine.