cropthreash


Handmade wines since 1983.

 

 

1997 SYRAH, ROLL RANCH
California (Ojai Valley)
750 cases made
 
Every year we try to make improvements to our equipment, cellar practices and techniques. In 1997 we purchased some major equipment: a new press and a new destemmer. Besides having plenty of fancy, flashy stainless steel around the winery, we think the new equipment, which is gentler to the fruit, has helped us extract deeper, richer flavors without excessive tannins. The 1997 Roll Ranch Syrah benefited noticably, displaying round silky tannins. But beyond our latest wine-making refinements, the syrah from this spot has some very distinct qualities. Every year it displays a very southern Rhone character of pit fruits (apricot and plum), and it has a warmth and stony quality that reminds me of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. This is a very complete and satisfying wine, and of all our syrahs from 1997, I think it has the best balance to age gracefully for many years. To date, my favorite wine that I have made from syrah, has been perhaps our 1995 Roll, but this one may turn out even better!