2006 Syrah

Wine Details

Appelation: Rattlesnake Hills

Vineyard(s): Elephant Mountain Vineyard

Blend: 98% Syrah 2% Viognier

Harvest Date: 09/24/2005

Bottling Date: 5/15/2008

Alcohol: 13.7%

Details: 24.3° brix / .64 TA / 3.42

Retail Price: $29.00 / Cases:

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Tasting Notes

Inky red, almost purple in color. The aroma is classic Syrah, with intense fruit and smoky notes reminiscent of bacon or ham. The nose also has hints of flowers and orange peel from the co-fermented Viognier. The wine is rich, flavorful, and concentrated. It could be cellared for at least ten years, but why wait when it tastes so good now? 

Vineyards

Elephant Mountain Vineyard is located high on a South-facing slope of the Rattlesnake Hills at the base of the Mountain of the same name. The vineyard is enclosed by a natural amphitheater that protects the grapes and concentrates the sun’s warmth. The long growing season and cool nighttime temperatures at the vineyard are perfect for growing Syrah and other grapes traditionally grown in the Rhone Valley of southern France.

Winemaking

The grapes were picked on September 24 at 24.3 brix, .64 TA and 3.42 pH. The grapes were hand harvested, delivered to the winery in a refrigerated truck, and hand sorted at the winery. The juice was co-fermented with a small percentage of Viognier. The wine was aged for 18 months in 2 and 3-year-old French-oak barrels. 121 cases were bottled on May 15, 2008.

Winemaker Comments

“Syrah may be my favorite red grape and I have been looking for a good source from Washington State for several years. I think I found it at Elephant Mountain. The sun-baked slopes of the vineyard remind me of the Rhone Valley’s Cote Rotie, and the wine is similar to Cote Rotie in style – with a rich, almost smoky flavor. This wine tasted great within weeks of harvest and will only get better with time. Enjoy it with hearty winter fare such as stews and grilled meats or chill it a bit and try it with barbecue." ~P. Beveridge

Previous Awards

Gold Medal at the prestigious Hilton Head Wine Festival.

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