While our 2013 Syrah was a powerhouse of ripeness and tannins, our 2014 offering possesses more complex, nuanced fruit and spice notes, and also showcases the rich, mouth-coating midpalate that is one of the most beguiling attributes of this variety. The final cuvée is a blend of syrah wines from three parcels on our property planted to clones 470, Noir and Alban #1. Each of these three lots was co-fermented with between 4 and 5% viognier then aged in neutral French cooperage for 14 months on significant lees with only two rackings before bottling. This gentle treatment, with minimal exposure to oxygen, encouraged the development of the meaty, spicy secondary flavors that give syrah its distinctive character. The nose presents heady aromas of exotic fruit, blackberry, blueberry, white pepper, violets, bacon fat and mountain herbs. In the mouth, this wine explodes with ripe, full-bodied fruit and pleases with its silky roundness, weightiness and flavor persistence.