2018 The Barrel Climber

Syrah

CARNEROSsonoma county

ALLOCATION LIST: $49.50
RETAIL: $55.00

Tasting Notes

This special cuvee is a fascinating and final love song to Las Madres Vineyard, and something we’ve always wanted to try since we discovered the site in 2010. Naturally stacked and structured (particularly in 2018) the wine was an ideal candidate for an extended “Northern Rhone style” sleep in cask.

With each passing month the wine became more complete, more compelling and nearly three long years in neutral barrel later, our hunch was confirmed. What we finally captured in bottle delights us to no end — a most silky, seductive, fruit-driven version of Las Madres without glossing over what makes the vineyard so unique. The smoky, brambly wildness and salty olive notes are still there, now enveloped, upstaged even, by sexy blackberry, black cherry and dark chocolate elements front and center. Full bodied and savory, this Syrah begs to be paired with lamb, wild mushrooms or any hearty fare you have in mind.

Those familiar with the vineyard will immediately notice a great sense of harmony in this special bottling. For the uninitiated, this is just a dang delicious bottle of wine and a one-chance-only glorious hello and farewell.

DRINKING WINDOWS

Prime drinking: Mid 2022 through 2031+
Graceful ageability: 2032+

VINEYARDS

100% Las Madres

CLONES

50% Hulda, 50% Esther

STATS

pH: 3.85  |  TA: 5.7 g/L  |  Alcohol: 14.3%
Bottling: June 7, 2021 |  Release: Spring 2022
Cases Produced: 46

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