2023 Santa Lucia Highlands "Soberanes Vineyard" Syrah
100% Syrah
Picked November 3rd, yields were a bit more generous than at Sierra Mar Vineyard just down the road. To accentuate the cool-climate characteristics of this vineyard, 24% of the fruit went to tank as whole cluster while the remainder was destemmed on top. By the fifth day of the cold soak, there were signs of fermentation so we did not inoculate, relying instead upon whatever yeasts were already present. After 19 days on the skins the wine was pressed to all French oak, 20% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Very dark magenta-purple. A highly floral nose is suffused with lilac, lavender, white lilies, and violets. Plenty of red fruit and bacon fat too! Medium-full bodied, flavors of olive tapenade, smoked game, herbs, and red and blue fruit build through the extremely long finish. Suave tannins provide structure and form. If this wine was served blind to me, I would be convinced it was from the Côte-Rôtie. A truly spectacular Syrah that, like the Sierra Mar, drinks even better on day two. I would be hard-pressed to name a better Syrah we’ve produced. Enjoy from 2027 through 2046. (MRO - 07/15/26)