Terroir : « Grès », rolled pebbles and red clay

Varietals : 95% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre

Vinifcation :

• Selection of best plots of Syrah (soil and age of vines).
• Yield limitation through spring pruning and green harvest.
• Selected leaf removal to improve grape ripeness and health.
• Late harvest in “sur-maturité“ to promote skin and aromatic ripeness.
• 100% destemming.
• Cold pre-fermentation maceration (3 days) to maximize primary fruit.
• Temperature controlled (26°C) fermentation.
• Warm maceration (30°C) for 30 days with “remontage” to optimize extraction and round off tannins.
• Blending, the aging in French 300 liter oak barrels (30% renewal rate) for 12 months.
• Bottling in February without filtration.

Tasting :

• Appearance : Dense opaque purple color.
• Nose : Very powerful, combining aromas of blackberries,  licorice, spice box and pepper.
• Taste : Lots of volume, power and richness, dense tannins and a lush and powerful structure.

Food & Wine Pairing:   Decant 1 hour before serving at 65°F (18°C).   This powerfully flavored wine is excellent with roasted red meats & game dishes.  Try dark sauces, even some with dark fruit.   Seared, spiced Ahi is a favorite, as is braised short ribs in Syrah reduction sauce!

Aging Potential:  Enjoy now or cellar 10 to 12  years.

Accolades:

• Selection  - Gault & Millau  2007