2013 Russian River Valley - MAGNUM

Syrah

SONOMA COUNTY

ALLOCATION LIST: $77.40
RETAIL: $86.00

TASTING NOTES

Encouraged by the keen response to last year’s Barrel Climber Syrah, we’ve decided to add a Russian River Valley Syrah to our Permanent Collection! Sourced once again primarily from Atoosa’s Vineyard in the cool Russian River Valley, what started as an experiment for us now gains fulltime status with the 2013 vintage.

Much like the 2012 Barrel Climber Syrah, the color is an inky electric purple in the glass, a result of the extremely long and languid season out at Atoosa’s. Syrah grapes take their sweet time in this climate and while these are often the last grapes we harvest (think Halloween!), the extended hang-time allows slow and complete maturation of the fruit at relatively modest alcohol levels.

Ample layers of brooding cassis and framboise at the forefront with echoes of lavender on the back end, all wrapped in a savory, peppery framework make for tremendous depth and an undeniably fun wine to drink!

Best consumed with hearty fare at the moment to round out the tannins (rib eye steak or leg of lamb come to mind), you could also safely tuck away this “knife and fork” style Syrah for a moderate to long nap in the cellar. Whichever you choose, it promises to be a real treat.

DRINKING WINDOWS

Prime drinking: mid 2016 through 2020
Graceful ageability: 2021+

VINEYARDS

85% Atoosa’s, 12% Steiner, 3% Las Madres

CLONES

30% 470, 25% 877, 18% 174, 18% 383, 6% Alban Power Block, 3% 300

STATS

pH: 3.73 | TA: 6 g/L | Alcohol: 14.8%
Bottling: April 17, 2015 | Release: Fall 2014
Cases Produced: 6

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