2008 Syrah, Parkmon Estate Vineyard

Lamorinda (Contra Costa County)

In our third harvest of our estate vineyard, yields were restrained dramatically by a late Spring frost combined with a second straight year of drought conditions. As a result, the Syrah we managed to pick was particularly intense, flavorful, and ripe with very small berries and low moisture content, producing a wine of remarkable depth and richness.

This wine exhibits a glass-staining, inky reddish indigo color and features luxuriously powerful aromas of jammy black fruits (enhanced by the presence of 1.5% Estate Viognier co-fermented with the wine), and sweet caramel with a touch of anise. As it enters the mouth, the wine presents a rich velvety mouthfeel, expanding into a lush, full-bodied mid-palate loaded with flavors of ripe plums and mulberries. This Syrah is definitely big, but deftly balances the 14.7% alcohol level with enough fruit and acidity to alleviate any undesirable viscosity. The tannins are gripping, but well-integrated with the lasting, warm finish reminiscent of dark chocolate.

This wine's power and richness will be fun to enjoy in its youth, but it should also have the structure to age gracefully for at least 7-10 years. Try pairing with a rich steak or a rack of lamb finished with a rosemary/blackberry/mint reduction.