The 2008 Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah is always our darkest wine. It is extracted and rich with surprising density and power. It has a candy-spice-cherry-raspberry-sweet tar aroma and a thick, smooth, dark-fruit taste. Only eight barrels of this wine were produced. (228 cases produced)

• This wine is 100% Estrella Clone Syrah fruit from the high saddle of Z(b) Block at Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley appellation. This is an extremely cool vineyard site and is exposed to constant marine air flow.
• Bien Nacido Vineyard harvested on October 16th at 27.0 brix, 3.1 pH, 2.0 TPA.
• The fruit was stemmed but not crushed. Intact, whole berries were placed in small bin boxes for fermentation.
• Fermented on the skins in small bin boxes for 14 days after a 48 hour cold soak.
• Fermented with RC212 and D254 yeast strains.
• Only 8 barrels of this wine were produced.
• Made using two new French barrels, two new American barrels, plus four older French and American barrels.
• Wine was racked in mid July, and again before bottling.
• Went through ML fermentation, completing in January
• Unfined and lightly filtered.
• 18 month barrel age.
• Bottled in May 2010

Available only as 2011 club shipment. Purchase other wines now at our Online Store.

The 2009 Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah is again our darkest wine. It is rich with surprising density and power. It has a candy-spice-cherry-raspberry-sweet tar aroma and a thick, smooth, dark-fruit taste. Somewhat reduced upon opening, it evolves beautifully in the glass. Frost early in the growing season resulted in extremely low yields of .75 TPA. This wine is made using one new and three older French barrels. (103 cases produced)

• This wine is 100% Estrella Clone Syrah fruit from the high saddle of Z(b) Block at Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley appellation. This is an extremely cool vineyard site and is exposed to constant marine air flow.
• Bien Nacido Vineyard harvested on October 22th at 25.3 brix, 3.25 pH
• Frost early in the growing season resulted in extremely low yields of .75 tons per acre.
• The fruit was stemmed but not crushed. Intact, whole berries were placed in small bin boxes for fermentation.
• Fermented on the skins in small bin boxes for 14 days after a 48 hour cold soak.
• Fermented with RC212 and D254 yeast strains.
• Only 4 barrels of this wine were produced.
• Made using one new and three older French barrels
• Wine was racked in mid July, and again before bottling.
• Went through ML fermentation, completing in January
• Unfined and unfiltered.
• 18 month barrel age.
• Bottled in April 2011

Available only as 2012 club shipment. Purchase other wines now at our Online Store.

Food Pairing:  This is a powerfully flavored wine which works well with similarly flavorful food.  Try dark sauces, even some with dark fruit.  Makes a great reduction sauce.  Try spiced or BBQ pork, lamb, or beef.  Seared, spiced Ahi is a favorite, as is smoked salmon.