Syrah
Tasting Notes
This Syrah opens with vibrant floral and smoky notes with hints of butterscotch and caramel. A soft, full-bodied mouthfeel highlighted by bright flavors of raspberry, red plum, and hints of juicy citrus is supported by polished tannins. Elements of dark cherry and mocha carry this wine through a pleasant finish.
Vineyards
StoneCap is made with estate-grown grapes from the expansive, renowned Goose Ridge Vineyard in Washington State’s Columbia Valley. This valley and its surrounding rivers were formed during the Ice Age. The soil in this region is frequently wind-blown, leaving a “stonecap” at the top of the hills.
Vintage Notes
The 2021 vintage had a pleasant warm, dry spring that led into very hot summer months and ended with a warm fall. Bud break began early in April with warm, dry conditions. An early frost nipped the emerging Chardonnay buds, but other varieties were unaffected. May and June continued to be warm and dry with increasing heat that peaked during the historic heat dome, which saw 5 days of temperatures over 110 F. Even though conditions moderated slightly, temperatures persisted near or above 100 F from late-June through mid-July. Despite maximum irrigation during this time, a significant portion of the grape crop was lost due to extreme heat (but the vines were otherwise undamaged). For the remainder of the growing season, the vines concentrated flavor, color, and structure into the remaining crop. By mid-August the heat moderated, and warm, dry conditions persisted for September and October which created almost perfect harvest conditions: allowing grapes to complete ripening at a more gradual, even pace.
Technical Information
- Vintage:
- 2021
- Alcohol:
- 13.6%
- Region:
- Columbia Valley, Washington
- PH:
- 3.73
- Varietals:
- 100% Syrah
- TA:
- 5.8G/L
