The 2008 Thompson Vineyard Syrah, has gripping tannin, powerful fruit forward flavors. More tannic than in 2007, it has flavors of spiced candy cherries with hints of sweet tar and tobacco. Cedar and chocolate mint aromas are beginning to emerge. It has Thompson’s classic candy quality that clings to your glass and sticks to your lips. (142 cases produced)

• This wine is 100% Estrella Clone Syrah from the rolling hills of Thompson Vineyard in Los Alamos.
• Thompson Vineyard Syrah harvested October 15 at 25.0 brix, 3.6 pH.
• The fruit was stemmed but not crushed. Intact, whole berries were placed in small bin boxes for 14 days of fermentation after a two-day cold soak.
• Inoculated with D254 and RC 212 yeasts.
• Aged for eighteen months in one new French and one new American barrel, plus four older French Oak barrels.
• Went through ML fermentation, completing in January.
• Racked in July into neutral barrels, and again before bottling.
• 18 months barrel age.
• Hard-candy-fruit flavors. Big and dark. Big tannin. Will soften. Tobacco-cedar-spice-mint notes. Big back of mouth tannins.
• Sticks to your lips.
• Unfined and unfiltered.
• Bottled May 2010.

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

The 2009 Thompson Vineyard Syrah, has clove, chocolate mint, and cherry fruit aromas. It has gripping tannin and powerful fruit forward flavors of spiced, candy cherries with hints of sweet tar and tobacco. A lean, lingering finish completes the experience. It has Thompson’s classic candy quality that clings to your glass and sticks to your lips. (144 cases produced)

• This wine is 100% Estrella Clone Syrah from the rolling hills of Thompson Vineyard in Los Alamos.
• Like 2008, this vineyard had extremely low yields. Only 3.25 tons of fruit were harvest off our 2+ acres of vines.
• Thompson Vineyard Syrah harvested October 29 at 24.8 brix, 3.25 pH.
• The fruit was stemmed but not crushed. Intact, whole berries were placed in small bin boxes for 14 days of fermentation after a two-day cold soak.
• Inoculated with D254 and RC 212 yeasts.
• Aged for eighteen months in two new French and one new American barrel, plus four older French Oak barrels.
• Went through ML fermentation, completing in January.
• Racked in July into neutral barrels, and again before bottling.
• 18 months barrel age.
• Unfined and unfiltered.
• Bottled April 2011

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

Thompson Vineyard is a steep, south-facing vineyard in Los Alamos, California. Its soil is sandy and well drained. This vineyard consistently produces the best fruit we work with. It gets ripe, dark, and tannic. 

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.   Braised short ribs with Syrah reduction sauce!