2010 Santa Lucia Highlands "Sierra Mar Vineyard" Syrah
100% Syrah
Yahoo!!! Ever since grower extraordinaire Gary Franscioni showed us this property and laid out his vision for planting it, we’ve barely been able to contain our excitement. It was obvious that this was going to be a special vineyard and based on our first result, indeed it is! While most of the 38 acres is Pinot noir and Chardonnay, Gary planted a two-acre block of Syrah using budwood from Alban Vineyards for us to share with Novy Family Wines. Picked October 25th, the wine spent 21 days on the skins. Thirty-three percent whole cluster. Only 30% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Very dark ruby-garnet. Aromas of blackberry and creosote with a floral lift. Medium-full to full bodied, the wine has terrific cut and precision thanks to refreshing acidity and tannin. Although a mere eight miles south of Rosella’s, not a bit of grapefruit in this wine, only pure blackberry yumminess! While enjoyable now, this Syrah should be at its best from 2014 through 2020. (MRO – 01/17/12)