Fall Release Eddie's Patch Syrah
2000

Winemaker’s Notes

Our first Syrah release, "Eddie's Patch" comes from a remarkable vineyard in the eastern part of the appellation, which sits at an elevation of 600+ feet on a steep southwest-facing hillside overlooking the Russian River Plain. The thin soils are classic iron-rich 'Terra Rosa' of extremely low vigor and nutrition, which forces the vines to struggle to produce a very small crop of tiny berries of astonishing intensity. Cooling coastal breezes sweep through the vineyard every afternoon to cool the fruit and extend the ripening period into late October, further enhancing fruit density & tannin structure. In the cellar we treated the fruit as gently as as we do our Pinot Noir with a combination of punchdown & pumpover extraction techniques. Once barreled-down, the wine remained on its fine lees with only a single racking during its 19 month elevage. This patient approach, coupled with minimal sulfur additions, allowed the true nature of the fruit and vineyard complexity to be fully expressed. Despite the youth of the vineyard, the level of natural extract in this first release has us truly excited about the long-term prospects for this site. I anticipate the 2000 Eddie's Patch Syrah will provide increasingly dramatic drinking pleasure for at least 10 years.

Opaque dark ruby purple in color. Saturated nose of dark berries, bacon fat, smoky tar and spicy tapenade with high notes of lavender and anise. The palate continues the rich dark theme with super-ripe blackberries and cassis, peppery licorice, bittersweet mocha and a creamy liqueur-like texture of great purity. The penetrating and powerfully dense tannins kick in to offset the rich bold mouthfeel and extend the chewy finish, which coats the entire palate.

Andy Smith Viticulturist, Winemaker & Partner