2003 Knights Valley "Pelkan Ranch" Syrah

100%

Knights Valley Syrah, Pelkan Ranch

pH: 3.54

T.A.: 0.602 g/100mL

Alcohol: 15.5%

Cases Produced: 107

This is our third year working with this vineyard, with the first two vintages playing blending roles in our previous syrahs. Don't let the "Valley" in Knights Valley fool you. Located on a rocky ridge top at 1000' elevation, this vineyard is all about mountain fruit, producing very tiny, intense grapes with very little juice. In fact, there is so little juice during cold soak that we often have to climb into the tank and foot tread it, much like Lucy did in one of my favorite "I Love Lucy" episodes. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Tasting Note: Black as night. Aromas of blackberries, violets, graphite, smoke, and mocha. Smells very pretty, almost floral. On the palate, BAM! The old one-two punch! Full bodied with an explosion of blackberry fruit but with plenty of tannin and acidity on the finish to remind you of its mountain heritage. Either decant this wine well in advance or put away until 2007 and enjoy through 2015. A bottle left open for 9 days was still going strong. (MRO - 8/7/05)