1998 Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
Vintage
1998
Price
$35
Release Date
April 2001
Appellation
Santa Maria
Availability
Only at the Winery
Vineyards
Santa Maria - Bien Nacido
Grapes
100% Syrah
Vintage
Our vineyard designate block at Bien Nacido sits on a bluff over looking the Santa Maria Valley. Bien Nacido has the longest growing season of any vineyard we work with and this Syrah is the latest ripening block at Bien Nacido. In 1998 we had an extremely long, cool season, which kept the grapes on the vine longer than usual. The result of this incredible "hang time" - harvest took place after Thanksgiving - was tremendous concentration of fruit flavors and a rich, round mouthfeel.
Vinification
The syrah for this bottling was crushed and individually cold-soaked at 55 degrees for two days prior to fermentation to extract color and intensity while controlling tannins. Fermentation took place in small open-top fermenters with daily punching down. The wine was aged for 16 months, individually barrel selected and bottled unfiltered on June 28, 2000. pH 3.43, TA .62, rs .04, alc 14.0.
Tasting Notes
This wine shows black plum, earth, herb and smoke aromas, intense spicy cherry and cassis flavors with chalky tannins and rich toasted oak finish.