We have selected grapes grown on Saralee's Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. The quality of these grapes allows us to showcase one of our most prized varietals and also reflect our affinity for great French winemaking traditions. In keeping with the storied Northern Rôhne winemaking custom, we usually crush and ferment a small amount of Viognier together with our Syrah to add complexity, fruit and aromatics. The success of this co-fermentation is never a guarantee, as these two very different grapes ripen at different times. Before bottling, the wine was aged for nearly two years in French oak, an aging process to which Syrah responds well. French oak is often thought of as the standard by which all oak barrels are judged. Interestingly, American oak is widely used to age the Australian Shiraz.

Our 1998 Syrah has the whole packageit is nice and soft, with a good tannin balance on the edge. This wine is packed with fruit, texture, and varietal character. Its deep purple opacity invites the discovery of whats inside the glass. The nose is an earthy blend of chocolate, flavorful berries, and berry jam, with notes of jasmine, licorice and anisette. The palate holds concentrated, silky fruit flavors of cassis, plum and berry, with a delicious, lingering, balanced finish of spice and a note of toasty oak.

In our non-interventional style, the wine was not fined or filtered prior to bottling. Opening a bottle now will please the pickiest palate; laying it down for a decade will thrill that palate even considerably more!