1999 CALIFORNIA SYRAH

California

This year we went further afield, getting grapes from Chuck Reid’s Lonesome Oak Vineyard in Paso Robles. Our little section was leaf-pulled and thinned to three and one half tons to the acre, according to our specifications. This part of the blend added a rich plumy note and a magnificent fatness. About half of the blend was from Bien Nacido, and this gave the wine a classic syrah spirit-y, peppery quality that is very apparent at this time. The Roll contributed gobs of fruit, and the 4% of Mourvedre from Stolpman gave wildness to the fragrance. This wine is accessible and delicious.