The majority of our Syrah vines were 9 years old in 2002. Whether age matters in Syrah vines is debatable, but reaching a more mature age has made a difference in our vineyard. The tools we use to manage Syrah's natural vigor were very effective in 2002. By careful use of irrigation and shoot thinning, among other things, we were able to keep the crop load below 3 tons per acre, resulting in a concentration of flavor in each of the Syrah component blocks. Many of you who visited us here this past year have had the chance to taste barrel samples of the blocks which formed our 2002 Syrah ­ the juicy East Block, the white pepper-ish North Block, the thick-textured Top Block, and the mineral flavored Road Block. Each component was distinct, but as we've concluded in prior vintages, the blend of these components produced the most complete wine. Unfortunately, ruthless dropping of crop and small berry size means we didn't make very much of it.

Estate Vineyard Block: North and East Slopes

14.2 % alcohol

Price: $25

Cases Produced: 436

Tasting Note: In the nose, the 2002 Syrah is loaded with plums, blackberries, wood smoke, and white pepper notes which jump from the glass, and is matched in the mouth by flavors of chocolate and blackberry, and a thick, rich finish. This is our most intense Syrah to date.

Click here to read about our 2001 Syrah.