2020 Rocks District Reserve Syrah
Vineyard Notes
The "Rocks District" of Milton-Freewater
This Syrah blend comes from two esteemed vineyards within the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater. The Watermill Estate Vineyard, planted in 2006, spans 13 acres and uses the Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP) training system. The Funk Estate Vineyard, planted in 2007, encompasses 5 acres of Syrah trained in a Quadrilateral system. These vineyards benefit from the unique cobblestone soils and microclimate of the Rocks District, which impart distinctive flavors and characteristics to the wine.
Harvest and Production
The 2022 Syrah blend from the Rocks District is a limited production, with only 42 cases made. It comprises 99% Syrah and 1% Viognier. The wine was aged in 100% new French oak barrels for 24 months and then racked to neutral barrels for an additional 6 months, ensuring a refined and complex profile. Half of the blend was fermented in a Nomblot egg with 50% whole-cluster inclusion, while the other half was fermented in stainless steel. This combination of fermentation methods enhances the wine's structure and aromatic complexity.
Terroir
The distinctive terroir of the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater significantly influences this Syrah blend. The cobblestone soils and specific climatic conditions contribute to the wine’s ripe and juicy style. The vineyards' terroir imparts notes of sweet black cherries and rose petals on the nose, with brambles and soft, generous tannins on the palate. The wine also exhibits a hint of cotton candy in the aromatics, adding to its unique and captivating profile.
