Wine Varietals



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Syrah Red Wine

Grown throughout the world, this grape can produce a powerfully flavored and full-bodied wine. While aroma characteristics associated with this varietal tend to be broad, typical flavor notes include white pepper and intense dark berry flavors. With time, the flavors can be moderated into earthy leather and wild gamey notes.

This is the best grape grown in the Rhone region, making dark, tannic, long-lived Hermitage and Cote Rotie wines. As “Shiraz,” it succeeds admirably in Australia, which has the largest plantings – well over 15,000 acres – and uses it both for table and dessert wines (sometimes blended or by itself). Overall, this grape is what they should be planting in Temecula, but aren’t.

Current Release

2006 Syrah

Alexander Valley (Sonoma)

This Syrah bursts out of the bottle like an unbridled thoroughbred – sleek and muscular! The initial rush of burnt plum, along with roasted vanilla, is tempered with pepper and cherry in the background. The nose on this wine is very nearly perfect for a big, yet approachable syrah just begging to be quaffed down on any given evening!

The weight of the wine on the tongue is round and full and coats the tongue in a velvet blanket of fresh fruit and spice.

On the palate, it initially grabs cranberries and cherries, with a touch of red apple. You still get a good dose of the spices which underlie this varietal – allspice and cinnamon are prevalent. The finish on this exceptional bottling is shorter than we would normally like to see, however it leaves you itching for more immediately. In addition, it is a perfect wine to compliment your filet or strip steak – going bite after bite. These primary characteristics really point to a fresh and approachable wine, and if kept appropriately, will mature for another 3 to 5 years.


Vintages

2005 Syrah

Alexander Valley (Sonoma)

This was a great find for us. An old friend in the winemaking industry, called late one evening in early October to see if we would be interested in some Syrah from the Alexander Valley in Sonoma County. If you know anything about grape growing regions, the Alexander Valley is one of the best, and we jumped at the chance to buy just a half ton of the sought after grape. Harvested in mid-October and trucked down over night, our Syrah is cold soaked for 48 hours prior to starting fermentation. We were lucky to get a half ton that produced just 285 bottles. Because of its exceptional popularity, we now have less than 10 cases (120 bottles), and have to take it off the tasting schedule. It’s going quick so make sure to try it.

Featuring a deep rich color and soft nose, this is a super tight wine with a dry, velvety aftertaste. Holding a very long finish, it is a great wine for steaks.


2001 Barbera

Allegresse Vineyards

Tasting notes not available.