100% Syrah

Soil Type: Linne Clay Loam - this whitish gray soil contains limestone pieces beginning 18”-24” below the surface. The presence of limestone captures and preserves the freshness in this wine, and being a heavier soil lends itself to a rounder mouthfeel.

Tasting Notes: This wine is so classic. Not only in context with Refugio Ranch, but also in the spectrum of great Syrah. I cannot help but draw parallels between this wine and wines of the Northern Rhone. There is a balance of bright red fruit, combined with a touch of wild blueberry, scorched earth, chaparral in sunshine and black pepper. The wine is sinuous, and lean on first impression, but the fruit expands into barbecued blackberries, mission fig, black cherry, and bitter mint chocolate. It retains great freshness and energy as it finishes with firm clay-like tannins. This is a refreshing and serious Syrah. It shows what a low alcohol red is capable of without sacrificing substance or presence. This was made from 30% whole cluster ferments, which contribute the extra level of aromatics and spice. This wine was aged in a combination of French oak barrels, and 400 liter puncheons for 16 months.

Alcohol 13.7
TA 5.6 g/l
pH 3.72
Bottled April 15th
210 cases produced