Our 2013 "Block Eleven" Syrah is produced from a single vineyard block in the Ledbetter Vineyard near the Russian River. The vineyard is located on a cool, foggy site roughly two miles from the Russian River—the “middle reach” of the appellation. This vineyard experiences the full impact of cooling fog that travels up the rivers banks. Fruit is harvested in the cool morning hours and transported to the winery (minutes away) for sorting and destemming into our small, two-ton custom designed fermenting tanks. A portion of juice is fermented using pure strain yeast while the balance ferments spontaneously with wild (indigenous) yeast. During fermentation, we punch down the cap by hand several times each day to gently extract the grapes flavors and aromas. The wine is aged in French oak barrels, of which about 30% is new.
Tasting Notes: The 2013 "Block Eleven" has a deep, inky red color. Aromas of raspberry and anise are layered by espresso bean and smoky, toasted oak. The wine is rich and full, with robust tannins that provide an expansive canvas for the display of its rich array of flavors. The wine finishes with a lingering hint of toasty oak and vanilla.