Our wines

2004 Syrah, Temecula Valley

Growing Season

The 2004 vintage began with an early bud break followed by a brief period of relatively cold weather during berry set, which naturally limited crop loads and intensified the remaining fruit. A mild spring followed by a consistently warm summer pushed harvest ahead of schedule by up to two weeks with some varietals, but the resulting fruit quality was excellent.

Winemaking

Our 2004 Syrah was gently crushed and fermented in small stainless steel tanks, employing twice daily delastage-style “pump-overs” where grape seeds are discarded, thereby reducing bitter tannins in the wine. After an average of 25 days on the skins, the “free-run” wine was gravity-fed to small French oak barrels, where it aged for 21 months before blending with small amounts of pressed wine.

Winemaker’s Tasting Notes

Harvested on September 7th and September 9th from two select vineyards nestled in the Temecula Valley, our 2004 Syrah is bold and distinctive, full of rich black fruit and spice complemented by hints of vanilla and oak. Ageing for 21 months in small French oak barrels allowed the wine to soften gracefully, perfecting the silky tannin structure, full-bodied mouth-feel and soft, velvety finish.

Suggested Food Pairings

The robust style of our 2004 Syrah make this wine the perfect accompaniment to a wide variety of foods, including pasta with tomato sauce, hearty cheeses, and rich meat dishes.