2013 Rodney's Syrah 1.5L

Appellation

Santa Barbara County

Varietal

Syrah

Vinous

Wine Advocate

Vineyard Sources

100% Rodney’s Vineyard (Blocks B, A, J2, J1 & I) from the Fess Parker home ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley

Barrel Aging

100% Barrel aged; Aged 20 months in 43% New French oak barrels

Cooperage

Mercurey, Sirugue, Francois Freres, Meyrieux

Technical Data

Composition

97% Syrah, 3% Viognier

Alcohol %

14.6

Acidity

0.592 g/100mL

3.86

Harvest Brix

25.7-26.4

Harvest Date

10/3 - 10/14/13

Production

60 bottles

Description

This Syrah is a rich, complex, full-bodied wine exhibiting layers of berry, cherry, cassis, clove, spice, earth, toast and smoke flavors. Enjoyable upon release, this wine will reward those with the patience to cellar it for 10 years or more.

Our single vineyard and small lot releases enable us to deliver some of our finest expressions of Syrah by concentrating on specific vineyards, clonal selections or techniques. Our estate vineyard, named in memory of Fess' late son-in-law, was planted in 1989 to predominantly Rhone varietal types. The wines from this vineyard have consistently been some of the most expressive and highly acclaimed in our portfolio.

Wine Critic Reviews

"Black cherry, plum, mocha, chocolate, grilled herbs and licorice are fused together...A dollop of whole cluster Viognier adds aromatic lift, but the Rodney's is above all else built in a serious core of ripe, voluptuous fruit...picked in October, which seems quite late by the standards of the last two vintages." ~ Antonio Galloni's Vinous "Made in a ripe, decadent style, the 2013 Syrah Rodney’s Vineyard gives up lots of blackberry, blueberry, barbecue smoke, and pepper. Incorporating 3% Viognier and aged 20 months in 43% new French oak, this beauty has some baby fat to shed, but should have a decade of overall longevity." ~ Robert Parker's Wine Advocate